Stefan Edberg

Stefan Edberg ( born January 19, 1966 in Västervik ) is a former Swedish tennis player. He won a total of 42 tournaments, including 6 Grand Slam tournaments in singles and led in the early 1990s for a long time the tennis world rankings. Since January 2014 he is next Severin Luthi coach of 17-time Grand Slam winner Roger Federer.

• 4.1 Single (42 )
• 4.2 Grand Slam - Win
• 4.3 ATP Tournaments
• 4.4 double
• 4.5 team

• 5.1 Youth
• 5.2 ATP Records and Awards
• 5.3 Davis Cup
• 5.4 Sweden
• 5.5 Other

Career

Until 1983: Great success as a junior player

Stefan Edberg began at the age of seven years with the sport of tennis. At 14, he became European Junior Champion in singles and doubles. At 16 he left school to become a professional tennis player. 1982 Edberg was again European champion in singles, this time in the category of U- 16th In the same year, the Swede won the Orange Bowl, the most important youth tournament in the world. 1983 managed Edberg as a junior Grand Slam; to this day he is the only one to achieve that distinction. He first won the French Open. Then he won at Wimbledon, where he beat in the 1st round Boris Becker. Then when junior tournament of the U.S. Open, there was a tragic accident: A hard impact Edbergs hit a linesman unhappy in the abdomen; the man fell from his chair and moved to the hard court a fractured skull to, the consequences of which he died. Edberg coped with the accident, won the U.S. Open and then even the Australian Open, which the Grand Slam was perfect. 15 months later Edberg was already in the pros in the top ten.

First pro Season 1984: Davis Cup victory and Olympic gold

Edberg won in 1984, inter alia, the demonstration event at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles. His first big professional success celebrated Edberg in the doubles side by Anders Järryd: At the U.S. Open, the two Swedes won the semi-final against John McEnroe and Ian Fleming, but then fail in the final. In the Davis Cup Final 1984 Stefan Edberg and Järryd again won against McEnroe and Fleming, thus brought the Sweden Davis Cup.

1985: First Grand Slam as a pro, another victory in the Davis Cup

1985 Edberg won in the pros his first Grand Slam singles title when he won the Australian Open. Very good this was his victory over local hero Wally Masur, who has already led 2-0 in sets and in the third set had two match points. In the semifinals, the then 19 -year-old Edberg prevailed in five sets against Ivan Lendl. To date, the game is considered one of the best in tennis history. Edberg won the fifth set with 9:7. In the final, Stefan let his countryman Mats Wilander no chance. Two weeks later, Edberg won with Sweden again the Davis Cup. This time, triumphing the northerners in the final over Germany. Edberg won the decisive fifth game against Michael Westphal in four sets. He became the youngest player in history, who won a decisive fifth game in a Davis Cup final.

1986: the number one doubles world ranking

Three weeks later, in January 1986, Edberg won the doubles Masters with Anders Järryd. In 1986, Edberg in 15 of 20 tournaments, the semi-finals. He celebrated three tournament victories in singles and four tournament victories in doubles. On June 9, 1986 Edberg was the number 1 in the double world rankings for the first time. Previously, he had reached the doubles final at the French Open with Anders Järryd, which, however, the two lost with 12:14 in the fifth set. At the end of the year Edberg and Järryd repeated the triumph in double Masters.

1987: the struggle for world leaders against Ivan Lendl and end of the double - era Järryd

Began in 1987 by winning the Australian Open. In the final, he defeated future Wimbledon champion Pat Cash. In addition to the singles title Edberg also won the doubles competition with other Järryd. The tournament was the last time then held in Kooyong on turf. Until the beginning of the clay court season Edberg had a match record of 30:3, took three tournament victories and stood in another tournament in the final. Edberg won in 1987 a total of seven tournaments in singles and six tournaments in doubles. In the course of a duel between the top of world rankings, which Ivan Lendl despite victories at the French Open and the U.S. Open and Wimbledon in a Finalteinnahme only just decided to be developed. An injury during the Sandplatzsaion had probably cost the race for the top spot in the world rankings Edberg. Stefan failed at Wimbledon and at the U.S. Open just under the semi-finals. In contrast, double Edberg was followed by Anders Järryd another Grand Slam title, the two won the competition of the U.S. Open. Edberg and Järryd were named the double team of the year later. In December 1987, however, Edberg ended his successful double partnership with Anders Järryd. Trigger for the separation was that the tournament organizers took no account of Edbergs double burden. At the U.S. Open semi-final to be single has been brought forward against Mats Wilander on time to 10:00 clock, although Edberg during the day had to go earlier in the doubles final over five sets and the match was decided in the tie-break of the fifth set. Edberg lost the single semi-final and had to settle for the title in double content. Since accumulated such problematic fixtures to Edberg was henceforth focus on the individual. The year ended with the recent victory in the Davis Cup, Sweden defeating in the final India 5-0.

1988-1990: jump to the world class and highlight the rivalry with Boris Becker

Outstanding are Edbergs results at Wimbledon, where he three times in a row reached the final between 1988 and 1990, respectively against Boris Becker. The Duels 1988 and 1990 could Edberg decide for themselves, 1989, he defeated the Germans. 1989 Edberg reached for the only time the finals of the French Open, but it lost to Michael Chang. On August 13, 1990, after winning the Super 9 tournament in Cincinnati Edberg was the No. 1 world ranking and dethroned Ivan Lendl for the first time.

1991-1996: Two wins at the U.S. Open, losing streak and last great triumph

1991 defeated Edberg in the semifinals of Wimbledon, the eventual tournament winner Michael Stich narrowly 6:4 6:7 6:7 6:7, where he made his serve even once. In the same year Edberg won the U.S. Open in the final in straight three sets to Jim Courier. To date, this triumph is referred to as one of the most sovereign Grand Slam successes of all time. When 6:2 6:4 6:0 Courier won only six games. Already in the elimination rounds Edberg had, inter alia, defeated the top player Michael Chang, Javier Sanchez and Ivan Lendl smooth in three sets. 1992 Edberg repeated his success at Flushing Meadows, defeating the emerging Pete Sampras in four sets. The two tracks on the hard court of New York were the only Grand Slam successes in individual for Edberg, which he did not win on grass ( the Australian Open was played on grass until 1988 ).

1992 and 1993, Edberg reached in each case the final of the Australian Open, but lost in two games to beat mighty Jim Courier. His last major tournament victory in the individual celebrated Edberg in 1992 at Hamburg Rother tree and ended the year as number two in the world. In 1993 and 1994 he reached the final of each of Cincinnati and held without major tournament victories have continued in the top ten. The end of 1994 he won with Sweden for the fourth time Davis Cup.

After the year 1995 ended just as number 24 in the world rankings, Edberg announced to want to end his career after the following season. In his final year on the tour he was again connected to the world top, finished the year ranked 14 and was able to celebrate together with the Czechs Petr Korda his last great triumph: The victory in the doubles final of the Australian Open 1996.

End of career in 1996 and return to Sweden

After the 1996 season Edberg ended his career. His prize money amounted to about 20 million U.S. dollars. Because of his contribution to the sport he was inducted in 2004 into the International Tennis Hall of Fame. For his achievements, he was honored in 1990 with the Svenska Dagbladet Gold Medal - and as Europe's Sportsman of the Year.

In 2000, Edberg moved from London back to Växjö in Sweden. There he runs a forestry and real estate companies. He also performs in Stockholm is settled investment company. Their offers were initially aimed specifically at athletes who wanted to invest money for the time after their careers. Meanwhile, the company has opened a wide clientele. He also founded the Stefan Edberg - Foundation. It awards scholarships to young Swedish players.

After his career end Edberg ran the tennis initially dispensed only as a hobby, by occasional actor struggles and his commitment to youth development. Instead, he tried his hand with a respectable success in another setback Game: From 2006 on, he was for some years part of the top-flight team of the Squash Club of Växjö.

2008: return to the spotlight - The ATP Champions Tour

Since 2008, Edberg plays in tournaments in the ATP Champions Tour. His debut, he celebrated with a tournament victory in Paris against Sergi Bruguera. In 2009 he reached the finals of tournaments Algarve and London, and he could win the tournament in Zurich in 2010. In 2012, he lost the final of Zurich Carlos Moyá. In March 2013, he celebrated his third tournament victory in Stockholm: Before the eyes of his idol, Bjorn Borg he beat John McEnroe in the final with 6:4 and 6:3.

2014: collaboration with Roger Federer

On 27 December 2013, the 17- time Grand Slam winner Roger Federer announced that his " childhood idol " Edberg will coach him next year alongside Severin Luthi.

Game style

As a player, Edberg was primarily known for his spectacular and elegant serve-and - volley game. He often drew even immediately after the second charge against the grid, where they can complete the point. Long Edberg was considered the player with the best volleyball in the world. Also Edbergs handed backhand, often played as a slice, is still regarded as exemplary. Edbergs kick serves counted not the hardest, but the most effective on the tour. With its hard to returnierenden service, the Swede gave the necessary time to advance to the grid. This aggressive style of play demanded Edberg from enormous footwork and fitness.

Edberg was also known for his extremely fair appearance on the court. No less than five times ( 1988-1990, 1992, 1995 ) he was awarded the ATP Sportmanship Trophy, which later received his name.

Private

Edberg is married since 1992, has two children and lives on a farm near Växjö, Sweden.

Trivia

• Edbergs wife Annette was previously in a relationship with its rival Mats Wilander.
• Edberg since his childhood supporters of Leeds United, but suppressed since his time in London and the Chelsea FC fingers crossed.
• Edberg is a model of the record-breaking world number one Roger Federer.
• Edbergs unmistakable impact was the model for the logo of the Australian Open.

Biggest sporting success

Single (42 )

Grand Slam - Win

• Australian Open: 1985, 1987
• U.S. Open: 1991, 1992
• Wimbledon: 1988, 1990
• Masters: 1989

ATP Tournaments

• Milan, Italy: 1984
• Los Angeles, United States: 1984
• Memphis, USA: 1985
• San Francisco, United States: 1985
• Basel, Switzerland: 1985
• Gstaad, Switzerland: 1986
• Basel, Switzerland: 1986
• Stockholm, Sweden: 1986
• Memphis, USA: 1987
• Rotterdam, The Netherlands: 1987
• Tokyo ( Outdoor), Japan: 1987
• Cincinnati, United States: 1987
• Tokyo ( Indoor ), Japan: 1987
• Stockholm, Sweden: 1987
• Rotterdam, The Netherlands: 1988
• Basel, Switzerland: 1988
• Tokyo ( Outdoor), Japan: 1989
• Indian Wells, United States: 1990

• Tokyo ( Outdoor), Japan: 1990
• Los Angeles, United States: 1990
• Cincinnati, United States: 1990
• Long Iceland, United States: 1990
• Paris -Bercy, France: 1990
• Stuttgart (Indoor ), Germany: 1991
• Tokyo ( Outdoor), Japan: 1991
• Queens, England: 1991
• Tokyo ( Indoor ), Japan: 1991
• Sydney, Australia: 1991
• Hamburg, Germany: 1992
• New Haven, USA: 1992
• Madrid, Spain: 1993
• Doha, Qatar: 1994
• Stuttgart (Indoor ), Germany: 1994
• Washington, USA: 1994
• Doha, Qatar: 1995

Doubles

( a total of 18 tournament wins)

• Australian Open: 1987, 1996
• U.S. Open: 1987
• Masters: 2 time in 1986 ( in January 1985, in December 1986 )

Team

(a total of 7 wins )

• Davis Cup winner with Sweden: 1984, 1985, 1987, 1994
• World Team Cup winner with Sweden: 1988, 1991, 1995

Awards and Special Features

Youth

• Edberg is currently the only tennis player, who succeeded the "Junior Grand Slam" of winning as a junior player (1983).

ATP Records and Awards

• Edberg and John McEnroe are the only players to the world number one were both in single as well as double since the introduction of the ATP world rankings.
• Edberg is one of the few players in the Open Era to have won more Grand Slam singles titles, both in single and in double competition ( six in singles and three in doubles). Next to him, this move only John McEnroe ( seven and nine ), Jimmy Connors ( eight and two) and Yevgeny Kafelnikov (two and four).
• Only seven players participated as Edberg in more Grand Slam singles finals.
• Edberg since the beginning of the Open Era in 1968, one of only nine players who participated at all four Grand Slam finals in the course of their career. He was after Rod Laver, Ken Rosewall and Ivan Lendl the fourth player to have managed this.
• Edberg retired in the course of his career only four times in the first round of a Grand Slam tournament of.
• Edberg is currently the only player on the ATP both Player of the Year (1990 and 1991 ) as well as a double team of the year was awarded ( with Anders Järryd 1986).
• Edbergs record participation in 54 Grand Slam tournaments in a row, set by Wayne Ferreira in 2004.
• Edberg is one of nine players who managed to win the Australian Open twice in a row ( The record was broken in 2013 by Novak Djokovic ).
• Edberg reached five times the final of the Australian Open ( now record set by Reger Federer ).
• Edberg was five times with the ATP Sportsmanship Award for his exemplary behavior on the tennis court awarded ( 1988-90, 1992 and 1995). The trophy, their record winner Roger Federer is now, was renamed in honor of the Sweden 1996 " Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award".
• Between 1988 and 1990 made ​​it the rival Stefan Edberg and Boris Becker as the first in the Open Era, in a row against each other three times in the finals of Wimbledon. Edberg chose two of the Finals for themselves. In 2008, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal on this record. The fourth final in a row for Edberg and Becker, who reached the final in 1991, prevented the later tournament champion Michael Stich in a remarkable way by Edberg defeated in the semi-finals without having this also only once removed the surcharge (final result 4: 6 7:6 7:6 7:6 for engraving).

Davis Cup

• Edberg and his Swedish doubles partner Anders Järryd won against India ( Anand Amritraj and Vijay Amritraj ) with 21 games, the most games ever won in a Davis Cup record ( result: 6:4, 6:3, 2:6, 21:19 ).
• Edberg took part in seven Davis Cup Finals ( four wins), more often than any other Swedish players.

Sweden

Other

• Award as Europe's Sportsman of the Year 1990.
• The Single Record against his longtime doubles partner Anders Järryd falls with 9-2 wins a clear wish for Edberg.
• Edberg and Boris Becker are the only tennis players who have won the United Press International Athlete of the Year Award.
• Overall Edberg led the world tennis rankings, 72 weeks and ended the years 1990 and 1991 as world number one.
• 2004 Edberg was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
• Edberg was known to preserve the nerves even in difficult phases. So he could many Grand Slam games still decide for himself, in which he already was behind in the fifth set with a break. Examples are the Wimbledon semi-final of 1988 against Miloslav Mečíř, the semifinals of the French Open in 1989 against Boris Becker and the finals of Wimbledon in 1990 against Becker. At the U.S. Open 1992 Edberg achieved this feat in three consecutive games against Richard Krajicek, Ivan Lendl and Michael Chang.
• Edberg was the losing player, as Michael Chang in 1989 with his five- set victory in the final of the French Open aufstellte the valid to date record for the youngest winner of a Grand Slam tournament of all time. Chang beat Edberg at the age of just 17 years and 110 days. It was also the only time that Edberg, who was already a break front in the last sentence, could reach the final on the sand unloved by him in Paris.
• Edberg has worked after end of his career in his native Sweden as a developer of Nordic walking shoes