2008 IN REVIEW
The veteran Austrian missed six months of action due to a back injury...Underwent surgery to repair spinal disc on May 16 in Vienna...Played first three months, compiling a 4-6 mark, with 3rd RD at Australian Open (d. Moya, Calleri, l. to Mathieu) and 2nd RD in Zagreb (l. to O. Rochus)...Also reached final at East London Challenger in South Africa (l. to Ljubicic)...After last tournament in Miami, was sidelined until late September...Returned for three Challengers and one ATP event, reaching QF at Eckental Challenger in November. CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
1996 – Posted his first ATP victory in Umag (d. Fetterlein)... Reached QF at Cairo Challenger...1997 – Made ranking jump of 184 positions with consistent results in Challengers (22-17 record)...Advanced to finals in Ulm (l. to Pescariu) and Alpirsbach (l. to Maggi)...Advanced to first ATP QF in Kitzbnhel...1998 – Compiled 33-20 record in Challengers and won first title in Alpirsbach (d. Stanoytchev)...Also a finalist in Maia (l. to El Aynaoui)...Best ATP result was QF in Bournemouth...1999 – Qualified and went on to win his first ATP title of career in Atlanta (d. Grosjean)...Advanced to 4th RD at Roland Garros (l. to Corretja)...In September, reached final in Bournemouth (l. to Voinea)...His 28 clay court wins was second-best on ATP circuit (behind Costa’s 30)...2000 – Captured Delray Beach title (d. Calatrava) and reached SF at Mexico City...2001 – Advanced to SF in Atlanta and in Vienna, posting wins over Vanek, Chang, No. 4 seed Federer before losing to Ca�as...Also reached four other QF...2002 – Posted Grand Slam-best QF performance at Australian Open...Went 3-0 in five set matches during year...2003 – Won title in Doha without dropping a set (d. El Aynaoui in SF, Gambill in F)...Advanced to SF in Munich...Earned a career-high $414,880...2004 – Won most matches (24) since 2000, highlighted by Basel SF...In 2nd RD at Wimbledon, lost 8-6 in fifth set to No. 5 Ferrero after having two match points...Reached 3rd RD at US Open for first time in career (d. Ferrero in 2nd RD)... Defeated Henman and Rusedski in Davis Cup World Group playoff...2005 – Advanced to 3rd RD at Kitzbnhel and New Haven...Reached one Challenger SF and two QF...2006 – Returned to year-end Top 100...Started season by reaching final in Zagreb (l. to Ljubicic)...Also advanced to SF in Mumbai and QF in Vienna...In doubles, won Kitzbnhel title (w/Kohlschreiber)...2007--Finished in Top 50 for first time since 1999…Opened season at Chennai by reaching sixth ATP final (l. to Malisse)…Ended month with SF showing at Durban Challenger…Also QF in Memphis, Sopot and Mumbai. PERSONAL
Began playing tennis at age seven...Father, Josef, is a manager at Michelin and mother, Brunhilde, is a saleswoman...The European 16s champion in 1993 and Austrian 16s champion in 1992-93...Considers clay favorite surface and considers backhand best shot...Nicknamed “Cooley” or “Stef”...Drives a Harley Davidson and is a big sports car fanatic...Enjoys golfing, skiing and video games...Has an 18-16 career Davis Cup singles record in 19 ties since 1998...Fitness trainer is Peter Znenahlik and he also works with Heini Bergmuller...Wife, Dalia (married Sept. 9, 2009...Coached by Thomas Strengberger.
