2005 IN REVIEW
The Australian enjoyed his best season on ATP circuit since 2002, winning first career ATP singles title... Also won two doubles titles and qualified for Tennis Masters Cup, compiling 40-24 record during season... In singles, began year with 2-4 record before arriving in Scottsdale, where he enjoyed most successful week of his career... Defeated Ancic in final to claim first ATP title at age of 33... Helped Australia record 5-0 Davis Cup World Group win over Austria, defeating Melzer in singles and teaming with Woodbridge to win doubles... Followed with 2nd RD at ATP Masters Series Indian Wells (l. to Agassi)... On clay, reached QF in Munich (l. to Haas)... At Wimbledon, lost 2nd RD marathon to Popp, going down 14-12 in fifth set... In Davis Cup QF, went 0-2 in singles and doubles in 4-1 loss to Argentina in Sydney... Best result rest of year came in Tokyo, where he reached 3rd RD (l. to Dent) in last singles event... In doubles, teamed with fellow Aussie Hanley claiming indoor titles in San Jose and Stockholm... Qualified for Tennis Masters Cup in Shanghai, where duo went 2-1 in round robin play but failed to reach SF... Finished at No. 14 individually in doubles.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
1997 – Captured first Challenger title in Perth… Won first doubles title in Kitzbuehel (w/Fromberg)…1998 – In doubles, won titles in New Haven (w/Tramacchi) and Prague (w/Kratzmann)…1999 – Qualified at Wimbledon and advanced to 4th RD, holding serve 111 straight games (including three in qualifying) before falling in four sets to Agassi…Made Davis Cup debut against Russia in SF, defeating Kafelnikov and Safin to lead 4-1 victory…Won two doubles titles…2000 – Won Challenger titles at Surbiton and Wrexham… Advanced to 4th RD at US Open (d. No. 2 Kuerten, l. to Johansson)… In doubles, reached final at AMS Hamburg (w/Stolle)… 2001 – Helped his country to third successive Davis Cup final (l. to France’s Escude in fifth and decisive rubber)… Helped Australia win ATP World Team Championship in Duesseldorf, clinching decisive doubles (w/Draper) against Russia… At Roland Garros, reached second Grand Slam 4th RD…Finished No. 2 in service games won (88 percent) and No. 4 in aces (650)...2002 – Led ATP circuit in four service categories – career-high 807 aces, service games won (90 percent), first serve points won (81 percent) and break points saved (73 percent)… Became first player to lead four serving categories since Sampras in 1995… Also reached his first ATP singles final in Nottingham (l. to Bjorkman) and lifted his country into 2003 Davis Cup World Group with two singles wins over India… In doubles, reached two finals…
2003 – Compiled his best season in doubles (w/Hanley) with a 42-17 record and four ATP titles in six finals while qualifying for their first Tennis Masters Cup in Houston… Also helped his country to Davis Cup title (vs. Spain) by posting a 2-0 mark in singles and 3-0 doubles (w/Woodbridge) during year…Finished No. 6 in ATP Doubles Race (w/Hanley) and a career-best No. 11 individually in doubles… Earned a career-high $574,586…2004 – Finished in Top 100 for fourth time in five years after posting 13 match wins …In singles, reached 4th RD at AMS Indian Wells (l. to Henman) and 3rd RD at AMS tournaments in Monte Carlo and Cincinnati…Also advanced to 2nd RD at Athens Olympics (l. to Grosjean)…In doubles (w/Hanley), reached three finals and four SF appearances, including Wimbledon… Went 1-1 in Davis Cup doubles (1-1 in singles)… Finished No. 9 in Doubles Race (w/Hanley) and No. 21 individually.
PERSONAL
Full name is Wayne Sean Arthurs... Father, Derek, was born in Belfast and played Davis Cup for Ireland from 1962-66 before moving to Australia... Considers grass and hard courts as favorite surfaces and serve as best shot... Made Davis Cup debut in 1999, has a 15-9 career record (9-4 in singles) in 16 ties and member of winning team in 2003... Works with fitness trainer Justin Wight.
