Cedric Pioline

He came from a family that had sports running through their veins, blood, and genetics. His mother was a volleyball player and was part of the Romanian national team. His father was also a volleyball player. Thus, it would be expected that he too would take up volleyball, right? In fact, he entered the world of Tennis. For a brief time, Cedric Pioline was touted as the next big hope from France to break the jinx of the Grand Slam drought. Ever since Yannick Noah had won the French Open in 1983, France had failed to produce some brilliant stars. In came Pioline and he showed good consistency. He reached the final and also the last four stages of three out of the four Grand Slams. But, in the crunch situation, he never managed to get over the line. Yet, for some time, French Tennis was in safe hands thanks to the exploits of Pioline in that period. 

Born on June 15, 1969 in Neuilly-sur-Seine in France, Pioline turned professional in 1989. He is a right-handed player who was primarily a serve-and-volley player. He had a good, high-ball lob that allowed him to generate good power. He had a one-handed backhand that gave him a good range of shots.

Pioline consistently made it to the last-16 or the finals stage of most of the Grand Slams and ATP events. His first major Grand Slam success came in the 1993 US Open. Pioline had a great run, defeating world number one Jim Courier in five sets. He also defeated multiple-time Grand Slam winner Mats Wilander. In the final, he encountered Pete Sampras but the American was in top form. Sampras won the final in straight sets to deny Pioline a chance for glory.

In the French Open, he tried to bring plenty of joy to fans but he never managed to get past the semi-final round. That was in 1998. Pioline defeated 10^th seed Richard Krajicek and Marat Safin on the way to the semi-final. However, the Spanish juggernaut at that time was strong. He lost to Alex Corretja in the semis and that remained his best result on his home turf.

Wimbledon gave Pioline another chance at glory. The Frenchman had a great run in the tournament, with his five-set victory over 1992 winner Michael Stich confirming that he was ready for the big title. But, yet again, Sampras crushed his dream again. The American won in straight sets to win his fourth Wimbledon title and deny Pioline.

All his consistent performances saw Pioline enter into the top five in 2000. He was ranked No.5. Pioline reached 10 other singles finals, including at Monte Carlo in 1993 and 1998. He also competed for France in Davis Cup, winning the cup in 1996 and 2001. After retirement, he became a tennis administrator and was the tournament director of the ATP Masters Series event in Paris.

Grand Slam record

Australian Open: 4R (1998)

French Open: SF (1998)

Wimbledon: F (1997)

US Open: F (1993)