1999 IN REVIEW

The Spaniard finished with his second-best ATP Tour Ranking by compiling consistent Challenger results...Began year with back-to-back 2nd RD at the Ho Chi Minh and Singapore Challengers on hard…Played rest of the season on clay, his favorite surface...Qualifed in Estoril Tour stop in April and lost in 1st RD…Qualified again at Roland Garros and defeated Woodbridge for first career Grand Slam match victory (l. to Koubek in 2nd RD)…Broke out in late June, winning Challenger title in Montauban (d. Couto) followed by runner-up in Ostend (l. to Malcor)…Afterward, improved from 167 to No. 128 on July 12...Two weeks later, reached back-to-back SF at Poznan and Prague Challengers…In mid-September, won his second Tour match of year in Bournemouth (d. Enqvist, l. to Etlis)...Reached QF at Barcelona Challenger and Montevideo Challenger in last two months...Compiled a 26-18 match record in Challenger play with all but four matches on clay...In doubles, won Challenger title in Geneva (w/Alvarez) and reached finals in Cairo (w/Portas) and Santiago (w/Puentes)… Finished No. 118 in doubles...Earned a career-high $116,379.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

1991 -- Finished third at Spanish #7 Satellite (20 points)...1992 -- Won first Satellite title at France #2 (48 points)...1993 -- Winner at Spain #6 Satellite (49 points)...1994 -- Reached SF at Oberstaufen Challenger and first Tour QF in San Marino... Also a QF in five other Challengers...In doubles, reached final at Oberstaufen (w/Valeri) and advanced to SF in Sevilla (w/Baguena) and Guayaquil (w/Alvarez) Challengers...1995 -- Reached first ATP Tour SF in Casablanca along with Furth Challenger...1996 -- Limited to seven tournaments due to right wrist injury and best result was QF at Budva Challenger... 1997 -- Returned strongly from injuries and compiled a 26-17 record in Challenger play...Won first career Challenger title in Mallorca (d. Stanoytchev) and won first doubles title at Espinho Challenger (w/Carrasco)...Finished second at Spain #3 Satellite (31 points) and fourth at Spain #1 (20 points) and Spain #2 (30 points) circuits...Went 0-2 in Tour play...1998 -- Reached SF at Contrexeville Challenger and QF at the Bournemouth Tour stop…Won doubles Challenger title in Furth (w/Portas) and reached finals in Split (w/A. Martin) and Contrexeville (w/Velasco). GRAND SLAM RECORD CAREER9995 ROLAND GARROS1-22ND1ST WIMBLEDON0-1--1ST US OPEN0-1--1ST

PERSONAL

Underwent two arm operations in 1996 and missed eight months of action...Enjoys playing golf and soccer and listening to U2 and AC/DC...Favorite movie is The Crow...Childhood hero growing up was Boris Becker...Nicknamed "Bugs Bunny" for his on-court quickness...His biggest moment as a pro came in 1995 when he he posted his first Top 10 victory over Magnus Larsson in Monte Carlo...Coached by his brother Victor. 1991 -- Finished third at Spanish #7 Satellite (20 points)...1992 -- Won first Satellite title at France #2 (48 points)...1993 --Winner at Spain #6 Satellite (49 points)...1994 -- Reached SF at Oberstaufen Challenger and first Tour QF in San Marino...Also a QF in five other Challengers...In doubles, reached final at Oberstaufen (w/Valeri) and advanced to SF in Sevilla (w/Baguena) and Guayaquil (w/Alvarez) Challengers...1995 -- Reached first ATP Tour SF in Casablanca along with Furth Challenger...1996 -- Limited to seven tournaments due to right wrist injury and best result was QF at Budva Challenger... 1997 -- Returned strongly from injuries and compiled a 26-17 record in Challenger play...Won first career Challenger title in Mallorca (d. Stanoytchev) and won first doubles title at Espinho Challenger (w/Carrasco)...Finished second at Spain #3 Satellite (31 points) and fourth at Spain #1 (20 points) and Spain #2 (30 points) circuits...Went 0-2 in Tour play...1998 -- Reached SF at Contrexeville Challenger and QF at the Bournemouth Tour stop…Won doubles Challenger title in Furth (w/Portas) and reached finals in Split (w/A. Martin) and Contrexeville (w/Velasco). GRAND SLAM RECORD CAREER9995 ROLAND GARROS1-22ND1ST WIMBLEDON0-1--1ST US OPEN0-1--1ST

PERSONAL

Underwent two arm operations in 1996 and missed eight months of action...Enjoys playing golf and soccer and listening to U2 and AC/DC...Favorite movie is The Crow...Childhood hero growing up was Boris Becker...Nicknamed "Bugs Bunny" for his on-court quickness...His biggest moment as a pro came in 1995 when he he posted his first Top 10 victory over Magnus Larsson in Monte Carlo...Coached by his brother Victor.