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Born:March 7, 1960 in Ostrava, Czechoslovakia
Citizenship: Became a United States citizen in 1992
Born in Ostrava, Czechoslovakia in 1960, Ivan Lendl became an American citizen in 1992. He was ranked No. 1 in the world for 270 weeks, including 157 straight from September 9, 1985 through September 12, 1988, just three weeks short of Jimmy Connors' all-time record. Lendl is the holder of 94 career singles titles, including his 1980 feat, winning three tournaments in successive weeks on three different surfaces.
Lendl captured 8 career singles titles in Grand Slam events and reached an astounding 19 Slam singles finals. He relied on strength and heavy topspin from the baseline to reach 8 consecutive US Open finals (1982-89), winning three, 1985, '86, '87. Lendl also won twice at the Australian Open, 1989 and 1990, and three times at the French Open, 1984, 1986, and 1987. Arguably his most memorable victory occurred in the 1984 French Open Final. Down two sets to love, and trailing 4-2 in the fourth, Lendl won the title over John McEnroe in an epic battle.
During the 1980's, Lendl was one of the game's most dominant players. In 1982, he won 15 of 23 singles tournaments entered, compiling a record of 107-9, which included a 44-match streak. In 1985 Lendl captured 11 singles crowns in 17 tournament appearances, and in 1989 Lendl won 10 titles out of 17. He finished 4 years (1985, '86, '87, '89) as the top ranked player in the world. He was named the Most Improved Player on the men's tour in 1981 and its Player of the Year in 1985, '86, and '87.
Lendl was the driving force for the Czechoslovakian Davis Cup team, compiling a 7-0 record in singles and 3-0 in doubles, leading Czechoslovakia to its lone Davis Cup triumph in 1980. |
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