Jimmy Arias was a child prodigy and graduate of the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy, who was renowned for his baseline game, powerful forehand and mental toughness.

At 15 years of age, he became the youngest player ever to achieve a world ranking. At 16, in 1980, he turned pro and became the youngest player to win a main draw singles match at the US Open. Within two years, Arias had risen into the world’s Top 20.

Arias received the ATP’s Most Improved Player award in 1983, when he finished the year as World No. 6 to qualify for the Masters (January 1984), with four titles, including the Italian Open and a run to the US Open semi-finals (l. to Lendl).

The next season, 5’9” Arias reached a career-high World No. 5 on 9 April 1984, went onto reach the Roland Garros quarter-finals (l. to McEnroe) and played his first grass-court tournament at Wimbledon, advancing to the Last 16 (l. to Smid).

The Buffalo, New York native was a member of the United States Davis Cup team from 1983-87. He won the 1982 Roland Garros mixed doubles title with Andrea Jaeger.

Arias opened the Jimmy Arias Tennis Academy at a St. Petersburg Beach resort in May 1994. He retired from professional tennis four month later, just one week after his 30th birthday. Tired of travelling and full-time play, Arias said at the time, "It's tough not to be a tennis player anymore. I've been that all my life and now to say it's over makes my stomach hurt."

He now works as a television commentator and analyst. Bio: James Buddell