Stories
Biography
- Coached by Gerald Mandl...Father, Edgar, and mother, Gerda, own apartments and a variety store; has an older brother, Frank...Purchased a house in Majorca in 2001...Graduated from high school in July 1991...Travels with a computer to keep in touch with family and friends...Enjoys playing basketball...Likes to read novels and listen to music...Favorite cuisine is Japanese, especially sushi...Favorite cities are Melbourne and Sydney, Australia...In 2002, began working with the German Federation and became co-tournament director for tour event in Filderstadt.
Plays
Right-HandedCareer High
4Height
5'8 1/4" (1.73 m)Birthday
Dec 4, 1974 December 4, 1974Birthplace
Bruchsal, GermanyCareer Highlights
SINGLES
Winner (12): 2000 - Estoril, Sopot; 1996 - Rosmalen, Leipzig, Luxembourg; 1995 - Leipzig; 1994 - Styria, Filderstadt, Philadelphia; 1993 - Kitzbuhel; 1991 - Filderstadt; 1990 - Schenectady.
FINALIST (11): 2001 - Paris [Indoors], Strasbourg; 1997 - Paris [Indoors], Toronto; 1996 - Australian Open, Los Angeles, Filderstadt; 1995 - Tour Championships; 1993 - Sydney, Brighton; 1990 - Bayonne.
DOUBLES
Winner (1): 1997 - Hamburg (w/Pierce).
Finalist (3): 1999 - Sydney (w/M.J. Fernandez), Moscow (w/Halard-Decugis); 1993 - Brighton (w/Neiland).
ADDITIONAL
German Fed Cup Team 1990-98, 2000-01. German Olympic Team 1992, 1996.
Career in Review
Finished runner-up to Monica Seles at 1996 Australian Open. Appeared in a further two Grand Slam semifinals (1993 Roland Garros and 1998 Australian Open) and four quarterfinals
Reached 23 singles finals, and won 12 singles titles; also won one doubles titles
Two-time German Olympic Team member (1992, 1996), reaching quarterfinals at Barcelona in 1992
Made Top-10 debut in 1992 and reached a career-high ranking of No.4 (October 14, 1996)
In 1991 became (at the time) the youngest Australian Open quarterfinalist (Open Era) at 16-years, seven-weeks
Won 1994 Filderstadt, upsetting Navratilova in QF and defending champion Pierce in final
Qualified for season-ending championships as one of the best 16 players of the year five consecutive times 1993-97; was a finalist at 1995 season-ending championships; fell to top seed Graf in a five-set final (first five-set women's match since the championships final in 1990)
Won titles on all four surfaces in the Open Era, the 19th player to win titles on all four surfaces in Open Era
Teamed up with Steffi Graf and Barbara Rittner to help Germany win Fed Cup in 1992
Nominated for 1991 and 1992 WTA Tour Most Improved Player Award and 1990 WTA Tour Most Impressive Newcomer
Served on WTA Tour Players' Council for a second year in 1998/99 and was a spokesperson for the WTA Tour's F.I.R.S.T. Serve school program