Albert Costa

Albert Costa i Casals (born 25 June 1975, in Lleida) is a former professional tennis player from Spain. He is best remembered for winning the men's singles title at the French Open in 2002.

Tennis career

Costa began playing tennis at the age of five. He first came to the tennis world's attention as an outstanding junior player. In 1993, he reached the French Open junior final and won the Orange Bowl. He turned professional later that year and quickly established a reputation as a strong clay court player. In 1994, he won two challenger series events and was named the ATP's Newcomer of the Year.

Costa won his first top-level singles title in 1995 at Kitzbühel. He won three further titles in 1996. In 1997, he won another two singles titles and was part of the Spanish team that won the World Team Cup. He won another two singles titles in 1998, including the Tennis Masters Series event in Hamburg. Three further titles followed in 1999.

In 2000, Costa helped Spain win its first Davis Cup. He also captured a bronze medal in the men's doubles at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, partnering Álex Corretja.

Going into the French Open in 2002, Costa had not won a tour title since 1999 and was not considered to be among the favorites. In the fourth round, he defeated defending-champion Gustavo Kuerten in straight sets. He followed up with a five-set victory over Argentina's Guillermo Cañas in a quarterfinal. He then defeated fellow-Spaniard and long-time friend Corretja in a four-set...
Read More