Birthdate: 3/7/1960

Birthplace: Ostrava, Czechoslovakia

Height: 6' 2'' (187 cm)

Weight: 175 lbs (79 kg)

Turned Pro: 1978

Career Titles: 94 Singles, 6 Doubles

Although he'd been a prodigious winner for four years, it was until the French final of 1984 that Ivan Lendl began to really stake his claim to greatness. Then, from two sets down to the year's leading player, John McEnroe, Lendl battled back to win in five sets, seizing the first of his eight major singles. He won two other French (1986 and 1987) and two Australian (1989 and 1990). Until 1984, at age 24, his competitive zeal in big finals had been questioned, particularly after his U. S. Open finals losses to Jimmy Connors in 1982 and 1983.But Lendl dispeled  all that, and had the first of his three U. S. titles (also over McEnroe) in 1985, the second and third over Miroslav Mecir and Mats Wilander in 1986 and 1987. His U. S. Open conquest of McEnroe hoisted him past the New Yorker to No.1 in the world, a position he held until losing the Open in 1998 to Wilander - 156 straight weeks. He returned to No.1 for 1989 and has spent a record total 269 weeks at the peak during 13 seasons in the Top Ten. His Flushing Meadow time has been spectacular: appearing in eight successive finals (from 1982). His loss of the 1988 final to Wilander halted a 27-match winning streak in the U. S. championship.
In 1980 Lendl, unbeaten in seven singles and three doubles, led Czechoslovakia to its lone Davis Cup. Ivan's pursuit of the one prize beyond him, Wimbledon. Strain and try as he did to become a serve-and-volleyer, and close as he came-final round loses to Boris Becker in 1986, and Pat Cash, in 1997 - grass was his no-no.
An aching back didn't help as, seeded seventh, he lost his last attempt, in 1993, to Arnaud Boetsch in the second round. The damaged back caused him to default in the third set of his second-rounder against Bernd Karbacher at the 1994 U. S. Open. He would not play again, and announced his retirement shortly after that at age 34, ranked No.30. His last title, Tokyo in 1993, was a 6-4, 6-4 win over Todd Martin, and his last final, Sydney 1994, was a loss to Pete Sampras 6-7, 4-6. Lendl's was a hefty pro career of 17 years: 94 singles titles, six doubles titles and a 1,279-274 match record. He was the all-time prize money champ with $ 21,282,417 when he quit.

Birthdate: 8/12/1971

Birthplace: Washington, D.C., USA

Height: 6' 1'' (185 cm)

Weight: 170 lbs (77 kg)

Turned Pro: 1988

Career Titles: 64 Singles, 2 Doubles

Pete Sampras is probably the greatest of all, winner of 14 Grand Slam Tournaments.
In 1997, named  U.S. Olympic Committee "Sportsman of the year", first tennis player to receive this award. 100 current and past players, journalist and tournament directors voted in 1997 for the Top 25 players of past 25 years and Sampras was selected No.1. A British audience of 12.5 million viewers watched 2000 Wimbledon final on BBC, highest figures since 1992. Wife, Bridgette Wilson is an actress. Began working with Tom Gullikson in January 2002 after parting ways with Paul Annacone in December 2001. Annacone had been mentor since January 1995 and he took over from Tim Gullikson, who died of brain cancer  on May 3, 1996. Pistol Pete, the greatest, retired quietly in 2004...

Birthdate: 2/18/1974

Birthplace: Sochi, Russia

Height: 6' 3'' (190 cm)

Weight: 185 lbs (84 kg)

Turned Pro: 1992

Career Titles: 26 Singles, 27 Doubles

Yevgeny Kafelnikov began playing tennis at age six. On May 4, 1999, one day after officially becoming No.1, President Boris Yeltsin sent a telegram, saying, "For the first time in the 122-year history of tennis, a Russian sportsman has become the world's top player. As a person who plays tennis, I understand how difficult it is to achieve such a result." His Olympic gold medal was presented to him by IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch. After winning his fifth straight title in Moscow, donated his first prize of $ 137,000 to families of victims in Oct.4, 2001 Russian plane crash in Black Sea, near his hometown of Sochi. Has a 44-28 career Davis cup record (31-16 in singles) in 28 ties since 1993. Enjoys fishing in the Black Sea, watching soccer, basketball and hockey. An avid golfer (8 handicap) and New York Yankees fan...

Birthdate: 9/10/1976

Birthplace: Florianopolis, Brazil

Height: 6' 3'' (190 cm)

Weight: 178 lbs (80 kg)

Turned Pro: 1995

Career Titles: 20 Singles, 8 Doubles

Gustavo Kuerten began playing tennis at age six with his parents. Fluent in Spanish, Portuguese and English. After winning his third Roland Garros title in 2001, drew a heart in the clay to show his appreciation for crowd's support. Younger brother Guilherme in mentally handicapped and Kuerten gives trophies to him. Father, Aldo, died  in 1985 while umpiring a junior match and he says, " I dedicate my whole life for him. He was an important person for me." Named ATP Charities Chairman in 1998. Voted Brazil's Athlete of the Year for second straight year in 2000. Awarded with UNESCO 2001 youth and citizenship prize for his off-court work. Carried Olympic Torch on June 13, 2004 in Rio de Janeiro. Favorite soccer team is Avai and favorite player is Ronaldinho. An avid surfer and  Fiji Islands are a favorite surfing destination...

Birthdate: 6/14/1979

Birthplace: Bangkok, Thailand

Height: 6' 1'' (185 cm)

Weight: 180 lbs (81 kg)

Turned Pro: 1997

Career Titles: 5 Singles

Paradorn Srichaphan began playing tennis at age six with his father, Chanachai, who quit his bank job to coach his son. He finished No.10 in world junior rankings in 1996 and at the Southeast Asia Games in Brunei in 1999, came away as a triple gold medalist, winning singles, doubles and team categories. Considers ground strokes as strength and hard courts as favorite surface. Hobbies include car racing and watching Thai kickboxing. In November 2002, became a cultural ambassador for his country and was issued a red diplomatic passport from Thai Prime Minister. Named "Thai of the Year," in 2002, ahead of several pop stars and politicians  by a survey in his country. In the April 28, 2003 edition of Time Asia's magazine, earned a spot on cover and chosen as one of its 29 Asian heroes for 2003...

Birthdate: 4/11/1974

Birthplace: Barcelona, Spain

Height: 5' 11'' (180 cm)

Weight: 160 lbs (72 kg)

Turned Pro: 1991

Career Titles: 17 Singles, 3 Doubles

Alex Corretja is one of the friendliest players on tour and a frequent participant at Kid's Day and hospital visits. Enjoys meeting children and playing with animals. Earned Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award in 1996 and 1998. In 4th RD of 1997 Roland Garros vs. Filip DeWulf, overruled a call, that had been made in his favor and conceded point to DeWulf, which ultimately cost the Spaniard the match. Named to Davis cup squad in 1996 and has a 14-8 (9-2 in singles) record in 13 ties. Supports Barcelona-based soccer club Barca.

Birthdate: 7/1/1982

Birthplace: Lund, Sweden

Height: 6' 6'' (198 cm)

Weight: 198 lbs (89 kg)

Turned Pro: 2000

Career Titles: 3 Singles

Joachim Johansson began playing tennis at age five with his father Leif, who was a former Davis Cup player for Sweden in 1974 and was a teammate of Bjorn Borg that year. At age 15 remembers hitting with Borg at a tennis clinic when he was an up-and-comer. Goes by nickname "Pim-Pim", which is also a well-known hard candy in Sweden. Finished as No.3 junior in world in 2000. His best result was beating Andy Roddick at the U. S. Open 2004. Enjoys playing indoors and on fast surfaces. Considers his serve best shot. Coached by countryman Fredrik Rosengren since November 2004...