Julián Alonso
Julián Alonso Pintor is a retired tennis player from Catalonia, Spain, who turned professional in 1995 and retired in 2003. He was known in tennis because of his powerful serve, compared with the Goran Ivanisevic´s service. In 1997, playing against Ivanisevic, in Long Island, beat him for first Top 10 victory en route to semifinal and in that match fired a 143 mph serve to become just third player to register a serve of at least 143. He is the founder of "Julian Alonso Team" Academy located in Palm Beach, FL focusing on junior development.
Married to Arantxa Vivanco and father of two children.
Tennis career
Alonso was awarded the ATP Newcomer of the Year prize after winning his first ATP title in Santiago and finishing in the Top 30 in 1997. In the final of the tournament, he defeated Marcelo Ríos, World No. 1 ranking 6–1, 6–2 in 46 min. Previously, that same year, Tim Henman after being defeated by Alonso at "The Lipton" Key Biscayne declared: "Julian will be the next number 1 in the World before Wimbledon"After this promising start, however, his career is considered underwhelming; he only won one more title and retired in 2003 after half year playing only Challengers. He confessed that the decline of his career started with the relationship with Martina Hingis. The pressure of the media and his mother-in-law made Alonso's ranking and self-confidence fall. He reached his career-high ATP singles ranking of world No. 29 in June 1998. He used to play doubles in Davis Cup Spanish team with Joan Ballcells during Manolo Santana captaincy, and several single matches.
Career finals
Singles (2 wins, 1 loss)
Legend |
Grand Slam |
ATP Masters Series |
ATP Tour |
Result | W/L | Date | Tournament | Surface | Opponent | Score |
Loss | 0–1 | Jul 1997 | Kitzbühel, Austria | Clay | Filip Dewulf | 6–7, 4–6, 1–6 |
Win | 1–1 | Nov 1997 | Santiago, Chile | Clay | Marcelo Ríos | 6–2, 6–1 |
Win | 2–1 | Jun 1998 | Bologna, Italy | Clay | Karim Alami | 6–1, 6–4 |
Doubles (2 wins, 1 loss)
Legend |
Grand Slam |
ATP Masters Series |
ATP Tour |
Result | W/L | Date | Tournament | Surface | Partner | Opponents | Score |
Win | 1–0 | Sep 1997 | Marbella, Spain | Clay | Karim Alami | Alberto Berasategui Jordi Burillo | 4–6, 6–3, 6–0 |
Loss | 1–1 | Nov 1997 | Santiago, Chile | Clay | Nicolás Lapentti | Hendrik Jan Davids Andrew Kratzmann | 6–7, 7–5, 4–6 |
Win | 2–0 | Aug 1998 | Long Island, United States | Hard | Javier Sánchez | Brandon Coupe Dave Randall | 6–4, 6–4 |