Alberto Mancini

Alberto Mancini is a former professional tennis player from Argentina who beat Spain’s Emilio Sanchez in straight sets to lift the title in Bologna. It was his first top-level singles title since turning pro in 1987. He went on to win three top-level singles titles and four tour doubles titles in his career and achieved a career-high ranking of World No. 8 in singles and No. 79 in doubles, both in 1989, it was probably the best year of his career. Mancini won two singles titles in 1989. Probably the biggest triumph of his career came that year at the Monte Carlo Open when he defeated world No.3 Boris Becker 7-5, 2-6, 7-6, 7-5 in the final. Meanwhile on his way to the title in Monte Carlo he also overcame world No. 2 Mats Wilander in straight sets 6-0, 6-3 in the semi-finals. 

The same year, in Rome, the Argentine played enthralling game of tennis to defeat world No. 5 Andre Agassi in a five setter, 6-3, 4-6, 2-6, 7-6, 6-1. He saved a match point in the fourth set.  Both events were part of the Grand Prix Championship Series. Mancini also reached the quarter-finals of the 1989 French Cup, his career-best performance at a Grand Slam event. He defeated Simon Youl, Martin Jaite, Paul Haarhuis and Jacob Hlasek before losing to Stefan Edberg. In the round of 16 encounter, Mancini overcame world No. 8 Jacob Hlasek in five sets, 6-4, 6-4, 4-6, 2-6, 6-4. Compiled an impressive 36-17 match record in 1989, moving from 49 to No. 9 on the year-end ATP computer. Earned a career-high $510,430.

In the 1989 US Open, Mancini defeated compatriot Martin Jalte 7-5, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 to reach the fourth round but then lost to Yannick Noah. Mancini reached the final of the Italian Open again in 1991, but was forced to retire during the final against Emilio Sanchez with the score at 6–3, 6–1, 3–0. The last major final of Mancini's career was at the Lipton International Players Championships in Florida in 1992, where he lost to American Michael Chang 7–5, 7–5.

Mancini, a competitor at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, retired from the professional tour in 1994.

In February 2003, Mancini became the coach of Guillermo Coria. Under Mancini's guidance, Coria won the tournaments at 2003 Hamburg, Stuttgart, Kitzbuhel, Sopt and Basel, as well as reaching the final of Monte Carlo, the semi-finals of the 2003 French Open, and the quarterfinals of the US Open. Coria finished 2003 as world number 5. Despite these successes, Coria surprisingly decided to part ways with Mancini in February 2004, soon after an upset first round loss at the 2004 Australian Open.

Mancini went on to become captain of the Argentina Davis Cup team, and led Argentina to the Davis Cup final in both 2006 and 2008. However, Argentina lost both finals. Mancini resigned his position as captain of the team after losing in Argentina to Spain in the 2008 Davis Cup final.

In 2010 he was granted the Konex Award Merit Diploma as one of the five best coaches of the last decade in Argentina. And then, Mancini became the coach of Fabio Fongini in 2020.

Grand Slam Singles results:

Australian Open: 2R (1993)

French Open: QF(1989)

US Open: 4R (1989)