The 1984 French Open Junior Champion and three-time European Champion in 1983/82/81. Carlsson underwent full surgery on his left knee on Aug. 25, 1987 to repair ligament and cartilage damage. His last tournament was St. Vincent in mid-August before he came back in April 1988 at Madrid where he won.

He broke the top 10 on June 15, 1987 and reached as high as No. 8 before being sidelined with a 37-8 match record. He defeated Thierry Tulasne and Henri Leconte in Davis Cup quarter-final play in July 1987. Was named ATP Comeback Player of the Year in 1988 after missing nearly eight months of action. He jumped from 12 to No. 6 on the ATP computer, winning a career-high five tournaments and compiling a tour-best 50-6 match record (all on clay). He ended '88 playing in five consecutive finals (three titles), earning a career-high $546,539, surpassing his previous high of $186,363 in 1986. Compiled only a 5-6 match record in 1989 after undergoing more knee surgery. Finished No. 309 on the ATP computer.

Longtime member of the Swedish Davis Cup team. Resides in Eskilstuna, Sweden and Monte Carlo, Monaco.