Vince Spadea

Last updated

Vincent Spadea
Spadea 2009 Delray 2.jpg
Spadea, 2009 at Delray Beach International Championships
Country (sports)Flag of the United States.svg United States
Residence Boca Raton, Florida, US
Born (1974-07-19) July 19, 1974 (age 51)
Chicago, Illinois, US
Height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Turned pro1993
Retired2011
PlaysRight-handed (two-handed backhand)
Prize money$5,004,860
Singles
Career record311–359
Career titles1
Highest rankingNo. 18 (28 February 2005)
Grand Slam singles results
Australian Open QF (1999)
French Open 3R (1999, 2002, 2003)
Wimbledon 4R (2004)
US Open 4R (1995, 1999)
Other tournaments
Grand Slam Cup 1R (1999)
Olympic Games 2R (2004)
Doubles
Career record65–114
Career titles3
Highest rankingNo. 90 (12 June 2006)
Grand Slam doubles results
Australian Open 2R (2006, 2007)
French Open 3R (2006)
Wimbledon 3R (2004)
US Open 3R (2005)
Grand Slam mixed doubles results
Wimbledon 2R (2007)
US Open QF (2003, 2006)
Last updated on: 17 October 2021.

Vincent Spadea (born July 19, 1974) is a former professional tennis player from the United States.

Contents

He reached a career high tenth position in the ATP Champions Race in April 2003, as well as a career-high 18th ATP ranking in February 2005. He has career prize money earnings of over $5,000,000. Spadea has ATP career singles wins over Roger Federer (1–2 record), Pete Sampras (1–4), Andre Agassi (2–4), Rafael Nadal (1–1), Andy Roddick (1–2), Pat Rafter, Richard Krajicek, Yevgeny Kafelnikov, Jim Courier, Michael Chang, Marat Safin, and Gustavo Kuerten. He is one of five players to defeat Federer 6–0 in a set at a main tour tournament, which he did at 1999 Monte Carlo. Spadea represented the United States at the 2000 and 2004 Olympics. Vince was also named twice to the US Davis Cup Team in 2000 (captain John McEnroe) and 2004 (captain Patrick McEnroe).

Spadea has one career ATP singles title and three ATP doubles titles. He also has eleven USTA Challenger Pro singles titles.

Personal life

Spadea was born in Chicago in 1974. His mother is originally from Colombia. [1]

Spadea was Steve Carell's body double as Bobby Riggs in the 2017 film Battle of the Sexes . [2]

Tennis career

At the 1999 Australian Open, Spadea achieved his best performance in a major by reaching the quarterfinals. In the fourth round at that tournament, he defeated the 1995 Australian Open champion, Andre Agassi. Spadea then lost to Tommy Haas in the quarterfinals.

On September 13, 1999, Spadea achieved a top 20 ranking for the first time. However, from October 1999 to June 2000, Spadea suffered a record losing run of 21 losses in a row. [3] His losing streak led the Associated Press to dub him "the Charlie Brown of tennis" . [4] He ended the streak in the first round of 2000 Wimbledon with an opening round 6–3, 6–7, 6–3, 6–7, 9–7 win over 14th seed Greg Rusedski, in a five-set marathon, which lasted for nearly four hours. Spadea's world ranking fell as low as 237 on October 23, 2000.

Working hard on the Challenger Tour after his fall down the rankings, he successfully recovered and eventually won his only career ATP Tour singles title in Scottsdale, Arizona, where he defeated James Blake and Andy Roddick along the way in 2004. He continued his journey back up the world rankings and was back in the top 20 by late 2004, although US Davis Cup captain, Patrick McEnroe, declined to pick Spadea as his second singles player for the 2004 Davis Cup final against Spain, opting instead for the lower ranked Mardy Fish. Spadea achieved his career-high world ranking of 18 in February 2005.

In 2003, Spadea reached the semifinals of a Masters event in Indian Wells for the first time in his career, losing to world No. 1, Lleyton Hewitt. He went on to the Monte Carlo Masters a month later and reached his second semifinals in a Masters series. This helped him reach a career high position of No. 10 in the ATP Champions Race in April.

In 2006, Spadea published his autobiographical book, Break Point: The Secret Diary of a Pro Tennis Player. [5] Spadea criticized a number of tennis players including James Blake and Davis Cup captain Patrick McEnroe. He called out McEnroe for picking Mardy Fish ahead of him for the 2004 Davis Cup final where the Americans lost to Spain. Spadea criticized Blake for questionable character during a match where Blake allegedly "trash-talked" him. The book reached the top of the ranks in sports and tennis books during its debut month.[ citation needed ]

Spadea reached the third round at the 2008 Australian Open. In the first round, he came back from two sets down to defeat former world No. 8, Radek Štěpánek. He closed the season by winning two Challenger titles, in Waco and Calabasas.

Vince had an injury-stricken season in 2009, plagued by an overuse tendonitis arm issue, as well as a lower extremity staph infection. He won only a handful of ATP-level singles matches before the start of the clay-court season, but reached the semifinals of the Carson Challenger.

The New York Times summarized his career by calling him "the epitome of a tennis journeyman" and then noted that "he has played in 15 US Opens and has never reached the quarterfinals." [6]

ATP career finals

Singles: 5 (1 title, 4 runner-ups)

Legend
Grand Slam Tournaments (0–0)
ATP World Tour Finals (0–0)
ATP World Tour Masters 1000 (0–0)
ATP International Series Gold (0–1)
ATP International Series (1–3)
Finals by surface
Hard (1–2)
Clay (0–1)
Grass (0–1)
Carpet (0–0)
Finals by setting
Outdoors (1–4)
Indoors (0–0)
ResultW–LDateTournamentTierSurfaceOpponentScore
Loss0–1 May 1998 St. Pölten, AustriaWorld SeriesClay Flag of Chile.svg Marcelo Ríos 2–6, 0–6
Loss0–2 Aug 1999 Indianapolis, United StatesInternational Series GoldHard Flag of Ecuador.svg Nicolás Lapentti 6–4, 4–6, 4–6
Win1–2 Mar 2004 Scottsdale, United StatesInternational SeriesHard Flag of Germany.svg Nicolas Kiefer 7–5, 6–7(5–7), 6–3
Loss1–3 Sep 2004 Delray Beach, United StatesInternational SeriesHard Flag of Brazil.svg Ricardo Mello 6–7(2–7), 3–6
Loss1–4 Jul 2005 Newport, United StatesInternational SeriesGrass Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Greg Rusedski 6–7(3–7), 6–2, 4–6

Doubles: 5 (3 titles, 2 runners-up)

Legend
Grand Slam tournaments (0–0)
ATP World Tour Finals (0–0)
ATP Masters Series (0–0)
ATP Championship Series Gold (0–0)
ATP World Series (3–2)
Finals by surface
Hard (1–0)
Clay (2–2)
Grass (0–0)
Carpet (0–0)
Finals by setting
Outdoor (3–2)
Indoor (0–0)
ResultW–LDateTournamentTierSurfacePartnerOpponentsScore
Loss0–1 May 1995 Bologna, ItalyWorld SeriesClay Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Libor Pimek Flag of Zimbabwe.svg Byron Black
Flag of the United States.svg Jonathan Stark
5–7, 3–6
Win1–1 Nov 1995 Buenos Aires, ArgentinaWorld SeriesClay Flag of South Africa.svg Christo van Rensburg Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Jiří Novák
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg David Rikl
6–3, 6–3
Win2–1 Apr 1997 Orlando, United StatesWorld SeriesClay Flag of the Bahamas.svg Mark Merklein Flag of the United States.svg Alex O'Brien
Flag of the United States.svg Jeff Salzenstein
6–4, 4–6, 6–4
Win3–1 Sep 1997 Tashkent, UzbekistanWorld SeriesHard Flag of Italy.svg Vincenzo Santopadre Flag of Morocco.svg Hicham Arazi
Flag of Israel.svg Eyal Ran
6–4, 6–7, 6–0
Loss3–2 May 1998 Coral Springs, United StatesWorld SeriesClay Flag of the Bahamas.svg Mark Merklein Flag of South Africa.svg Grant Stafford
Flag of South Africa.svg Kevin Ullyett
5–7, 4–6

ATP Challenger and ITF Futures finals

Singles: 14 (8–6)

Legend
ATP Challenger (8–6)
ITF Futures (0–0)
Finals by surface
Hard (8–5)
Clay (0–1)
Grass (0–0)
Carpet (0–0)
ResultW–LDateTournamentTierSurfaceOpponentScore
Win1–0Jul 1994 Winnetka, United StatesChallengerHard Flag of Italy.svg Cristiano Caratti 6–1, 4–6, 7–5
Win2–0Aug 1994 Cincinnati, United StatesChallengerHard Flag of the United States.svg Jim Grabb 6–7, 7–6, 7–5
Win3–0Oct 1994 Ponte Vedra, United StatesChallengerHard Flag of South Africa.svg Kevin Ullyett 6–3, 6–4
Win4–0Sep 1996 Aruba, ArubaChallengerHard Flag of South Africa.svg Grant Stafford 6–3, 7–5
Loss4–1Oct 2001 Tulsa, United StatesChallengerHard Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Jan Hernych 5–7, 5–7
Win5–1Oct 2001 Houston, United StatesChallengerHard Flag of the United States.svg James Blake 6–2, 6–7(3–7), 6–2
Loss5–2Nov 2001 Burbank, United StatesChallengerHard Flag of the United States.svg Kevin Kim 2–6, 4–6
Loss5–3Nov 2001 Tyler, United StatesChallengerHard Flag of Israel.svg Noam Okun 5–7, 2–6
Win6–3Mar 2002 North Miami Beach, United StatesChallengerHard Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Ota Fukárek 4–6, 6–1, 6–4
Loss6–4Apr 2002 Paget, BermudaChallengerClay Flag of Brazil.svg Flávio Saretta 3–6, 5–7
Loss6–5Jun 2008 Waikoloa, United StatesChallengerHard Flag of Chinese Taipei for Olympic games.svg Lu Yen-hsun 2–6, 0–6
Loss6–6Sep 2008 Tulsa, United StatesChallengerHard Flag of the United States.svg Kevin Kim 3–6, 6–3, 4–6
Win7–6Sep 2008 Waco, United StatesChallengerHard Flag of Australia (converted).svg Joseph Sirianni 6–0, 6–1
Win8–6Oct 2008 Calabasas, United StatesChallengerHard Flag of the United States.svg Sam Warburg 7–6(7–5), 6–4

Performance timelines

Key
W F SFQF#RRRQ#DNQANH
(W) winner; (F) finalist; (SF) semifinalist; (QF) quarterfinalist; (#R) rounds 4, 3, 2, 1; (RR) round-robin stage; (Q#) qualification round; (DNQ) did not qualify; (A) absent; (NH) not held; (SR) strike rate (events won / competed); (W–L) win–loss record.

Singles

Tournament 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 SRW–LWin %
Grand Slam tournaments
Australian Open AA Q1 3R 2R A 3R QF 1R A Q2 1R 1R 1R 1R 2R 3R 1R A0 / 1212–1250%
French Open AAA 1R 1R 1R 2R 3R 1R Q1 3R 3R 2R 2R 1R 1R 1R AA0 / 139–1341%
Wimbledon AA Q2 1R 1R 1R 2R 1R 2R A 2R 1R 4R 1R 1R 1R 1R 2R A0 / 147–1433%
US Open Q1 1R 2R 4R 3R 1R 1R 4R 1R Q3 2R 1R 2R 2R 3R 1R 1R Q1 A0 / 1514–1548%
Win–loss0–00–11–15–43–40–34–49–41–40–04–32–45–42–42–41–42–41–20–00 / 5442–5444%
ATP Masters Series
Indian Wells AA Q2 1R A 1R 2R 1R 1R AA SF 3R 2R 2R 2R 1R 1R Q1 0 / 128–1240%
Miami A 2R 2R 3R QF 3R 3R 4R 2R Q1 Q2 2R SF 3R 2R 2R 1R Q2 A0 / 1424–1463%
Monte Carlo AAAAAAA QF 1R AA SF 1R 1R AAAAA0 / 57–558%
Hamburg AAA 1R AAAA 1R A Q1 1R 1R 1R Q1 AANMS0 / 50–50%
Rome AAA 2R AAA 2R 1R A 1R 1R QF A Q1 Q1 AAA0 / 65–645%
Canada AAAAA 2R 3R 3R A Q2 2R 3R 2R 1R Q1 Q1 AAA0 / 79–756%
Cincinnati A Q1 A 2R 2R 3R QF 1R 1R Q2 Q2 1R 1R 1R 2R 1R AAA0 / 118–1142%
Madrid 1AAAAAA 1R 1R AA Q2 3R 3R 1R Q1 Q1 AAA0 / 53–538%
Paris AAAAAA 3R 1R AA Q1 1R 3R 1R 1R 1R AAA0 / 73–730%
Win–loss0–01–11–14–55–25–410–69–80–60–01–213–912–91–83–42–40–20–10–00 / 7267–7248%
Year-end ranking0303758154884220213125672920757377762951517Prize Money: $5,004,860

Doubles

Tournament 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 SRW–LWin %
Grand Slam tournaments
Australian Open AAAA 1R AAAAAAA 1R 1R 2R 2R A 1R 0 / 62–625%
French Open AAAA 2R AAAAAAAA 2R 3R 1R AA0 / 44–4100%
Wimbledon AAAAAAAAAAA 1R 3R A 1R AAA0 / 32–340%
US Open 1R 1R 1R A 1R 1R 1R AAA 1R 1R 1R 3R A 2R AA0 / 113–1121%
Win–loss0–10–10–10–01–30–10–10–00–00–00–10–22–33–33–32–30–00–10 / 2411–2431%
ATP Masters Series
Indian Wells AAAAAAAAAAAAA 1R AAAA0 / 10–10%
Miami AAA Q2 Q1 AAAA 1R AAAAAAAA0 / 10–10%
Rome AAA 1R AAAAAAAAAAAAAA0 / 10–10%
Canada AAAAA Q1 AAAAAAAAAAAA0 / 00–0  
Cincinnati AAA 1R A Q1 AAAAAAAAAAAA0 / 10–10%
Win–loss0–00–00–00–20–00–00–00–00–00–10–00–00–00–10–00–00–00–00 / 40–40%

1This event was held in Stockholm through 1994, Essen in 1995, and Stuttgart from 1996 through 2001.

Top 10 wins

Season199319941995199619971998199920002001200220032004200520062007200820092010Total
Wins00111480010400100021
#PlayerRankEventSurfaceRdScoreSR
1995
1. Flag of Russia.svg Yevgeny Kafelnikov 7 US Open, New YorkHard3R6–2, 6–4, 6–480
1996
2. Flag of Sweden.svg Thomas Enqvist 9 Miami, United StatesHard2R6–3, 7–590
1997
3. Flag of Sweden.svg Thomas Enqvist7 Cincinnati, United StatesHard2R6–7(1–7), 6–3, 6–395
1998
4. Flag of Australia (converted).svg Pat Rafter 4 Miami, United StatesHard2R6–3, 7–564
5. Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Petr Korda 3 Toronto, CanadaHard2R5–7, 6–1, 6–444
6. Flag of the United States.svg Andre Agassi 9Cincinnati, United StatesHard2R6–2, 0–6, 7–6(7–2)44
7. Flag of the Netherlands.svg Richard Krajicek 8Cincinnati, United StatesHard3R6–2, 6–344
1999
8. Flag of the United States.svg Andre Agassi6 Australian Open, MelbourneHard4R6–1, 7–5, 6–7(3–7), 6–344
9. Flag of Russia.svg Yevgeny Kafelnikov3Miami, United StatesHard2R6–7(6–8), 7–6(7–4), 6–241
10. Flag of Slovakia.svg Karol Kučera 9 Monte Carlo, MonacoClay2R6–4, 6–333
11. Flag of Australia (converted).svg Mark Philippoussis 9 Rome, ItalyClay1R7–6(7–2), 4–6, 6–127
12. Flag of the Netherlands.svg Richard Krajicek5 French Open, ParisClay2R6–1, 6–2, 6–435
13. Flag of Brazil.svg Gustavo Kuerten 5 Gstaad, SwitzerlandClay2R6–2, 2–6, 7–6(8–6)29
14. Flag of the United States.svg Pete Sampras 1 Indianapolis, United StatesHardQF6–4, 3–6, ret.34
15. Flag of Russia.svg Yevgeny Kafelnikov2 Lyon, FranceCarpet (i)QF6–2, 3–6, 7–6(7–5)22
2002
16. Flag of Spain.svg Albert Costa 7Toronto, CanadaHard1R6–3, 6–174
2004
17. Flag of the United States.svg Andy Roddick 3 Scottsdale, United StatesHardSF6–7(5–7), 6–3, 6–429
18. Flag of Thailand.svg Paradorn Srichaphan 10Miami, United StatesHard4R5–7, 6–3, 6–236
19. Flag of Germany.svg Rainer Schüttler 5Rome, ItalyClay1R6–2, 2–6, 7–534
20. Flag of Germany.svg Rainer Schüttler8 Wimbledon, LondonGrass3R6–4, 6–2, 6–330
2007
21. Flag of Germany.svg Tommy Haas 9 Delray Beach, United StatesHardQF6–3, 2–6, 6–463

References

  1. "Vincent Spadea – News and More". Tennis X. Retrieved March 27, 2011.
  2. Pantic, Nina (September 26, 2017). "How Battle of the Sexes Made the Tennis Look Real". Baseline. Archived from the original on September 10, 2018. Retrieved September 29, 2017.
  3. Trollope, Matt (February 12, 2018). "Anatomy of a losing streak". Tennis Smash. Retrieved January 8, 2020. On the men's side Donald Young also lost 17 times in a row while Vincent Spadea holds the record with 21 consecutive defeats, which occurred almost 20 years ago.
  4. Wilstein, Steve (June 27, 2000). "Perseverance pays off". The Free Lance–Star. Archived from the original on April 12, 2016 via Google News Archive.
  5. Dan Markowitz; Vince Spadea (2008). Break Point: The Secret Diary of a Pro Tennis Player. Champaign, Illinois: Sports Publishing, Inc. ISBN   978-1-59670-324-7.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  6. Litsky, Frank (August 26, 2008). "Vincent Spadea, Journeyman". The New York Times.