2002 IN REVIEW
The Frenchman returned to action after nearly eight months out following left knee surgery in September 2001 and finished in Top 100 fourth time in five years…Made first appearance on circuit since 2001 US Open in Casablanca in April, losing to Sa in 1st RD after coming through qualifying…Won first match since 2001 Monte Carlo at Ljubljana Challenger in May before going on to win title (d. Balcells)…Dropped only one set all week…Followed with QF appearance in Prague Challenger and 4th RD at Roland Garros…Posted victories over Russell, Arthurs and Srichaphan before losing to No. 2 Safin in four sets…In July, advanced to SF in San Marino Challenger (l. to Portas) before reaching QF on hard courts in Indianapolis (d. Koubek, d. Santoro, l. to Schuettler)…Result was his first QF on ATP circuit since 2000 Casablanca…Returned to clay in September, reaching QF in Bucharest (l. to Ferrer)…Finished year with QF in Barcelona Challenger and lost in qualifying competition at TMS Paris.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
1997-Competed in four Satellites, with a fourth place finish at Netherlands circuit (20 points)...1998-Made biggest jump into Top 100 from previous season (502 positions)...Reached first ATP final in Bucharest (as qualifier) and QF in Palermo and Lyon...Compiled 20-9 record in Challengers, winning title in Pribram and reaching final in Contrexeville...1999-Improved ranking for third consecutive year after winning first career title in Palermo (d.Berasategui)...Reached 4th RD at Roland Garros, his best Grand Slam showing...Finished with 20-12 record on clay...Earned a career-high $359,432...2000-Advanced to SF in Casablanca and earned a bronze medal at Sydney Olympics (d. Federer)...Also reached QF in Bogota and SF at two Challengers...2001- Best result of season came at TMS Monte Carlo, where he defeated No. 1 (at time) Safin and Calatrava before losing to Federer in 3rd RD…Did not win a match again in rest of season…Played last tournament of year at US Open (l. to Ferrero in five sets)…Underwent arthroscopic left knee surgery in Paris on Sept. 19…Also suffered with back injury in June and missed one month of grass court circuit.
PERSONAL
Began playing tennis at age seven hitting against a wall in Casablanca and lived there until age 12...Father Daniel lives in Casablanca...Has a twin brother, Jean-Marc, one older brother, Nicolas (26) and one younger sister, Sandrine (14)...Reached Orange Bowl 18s final (l. to A. Martin) in 1996...Finished as No. 5 ranked junior in world in '96...Following year, won five junior world titles, including US Open and finished as No. 1 junior in world...Also helped France to Sunshine Cup and European team championship...Nicknamed "DiP"...Moved to Geneva in August 1999...Received Orde National du Merite (National Order of Merit) by French president along with other French Olympic medalists in November 2000...Coached by Remi Barbarin, who also works with Arnaud Clement.
