For 10 years, Marcelo Rios was often brilliant and artistic, yet he portrayed an aura of mystery.

Generally considered one of the sport’s most gifted players, Rios was fun to watch. He could make an opponent feel like he was playing tennis for the first time, so great was his feel and natural talent. 

Off the court the Chilean was sensitive, often aloof to the media, but on the court the left-hander was a dedicated trainer and a consummate professional, who came alive at the big tournaments.

In his finest season, 1998, he finished runner-up to Petr Korda at the Australian Open, won three ATP Masters Series titles, at Indian Wells, Miami and Rome, and four other titles. His 7-5, 6-3, 6-4 victory over Andre Agassi in the Miami final, ensured that aged 22 he became the first South American rank World No. 1. He held the top spot for six weeks, finishing the season at No. 2 behind Pete Sampras.

Rios, 5’9” and 160lbs, was the first player to win all three clay-court ATP Masters Series titles (1997-Monte-Carlo, 1998-Rome and 1999-Hamburg). He also won the 1998 Grand Slam Cup (d. Agassi in five sets) and overall went 18-13 in singles finals. With Sjeng Schalken, he went 1-1 in doubles finals.

Rios finished in the year-end Top 10 three times, in 1997 (No. 10), '98 (No. 2) and '99 (No. 9). During his career, he won $9,713,711 in prize money and compiled a 391-192 singles record. He retired in April 2004, bowing out after a series of leg and back injuries, at the age of 28.

Two years later, Rios competed on the ATP Champions Tour. He won six tournaments and had a 25-match winning streak. He is the only player to ever rank No. 1 as a junior, professional and senior.

DAVIS CUP – 1993, 95-2003; 25-10 singles, 3-7 doubles

SINGLES RECORD IN THE MAJORS – Australian (14-5), French (17-9), Wimbledon (3-3), US (17-9)

Bio: James Buddell 

Full name is Marcelo Andres Rios Mayorga...Took up tennis at age 11 at Sports Frances Golf Club in Santiago...Father, Jorge, is an engineer and enjoys playing golf; mother, Alicia, a homemaker and teacher, loves tennis...Has one older sister,Paula...Played soccer as a youth and decided to pursue a tennis career...Finished as No. 1 player in world junior rankings in 1993, capturing US Open title (d. Downs) and reaching SF at Roland Garros and Italian Open juniors...Stefan Edberg is last player to rank No. 1 in juniors (1983) and as a pro (1990)...Ivan Lendl also accomplished feat in 1978 (juniors) and 1983 (as pro)...Trains at Bollettieri Sports Academy in Bradenton, Fla. where he has a condominium...Selected by a panel of Chilean's Government Ministry for Sport, Olympic committee and selected panel of sports journalists as the country's "Best Athlete of the 20th Century" ...During a ceremony on Jan. 6, 2000 in Santiago, he received a silver medal in front of 200 people at government's sporting center...Has a 28-17 career Davis Cup record (25-10 in singles) in 21 ties since 1993...Wife, Juliana (married 26 December, 2000 in Santiago; divorced in 2004); daughter, Constanza (born June 26, 2001)...Second wife model Maria Eugenia Larrain (married in April 2004; divorced in September 2004)...Third wife publicist Paula Pavic (married May 2009).