2005 IN REVIEW

The Spanish veteran finished outside Top 100 for first time since 1994 with fewest match wins (14) in 10 years... Did not play after 1st RD loss at US Open... After 1-2 start to year, reached QF on clay in Buenos Aires (l. to Martin) and two weeks later in Acapulco (l. to Puerta)... In April, qualified for ATP Masters Series Monte-Carlo and reached 2nd RD (d. No. 11 J. Johansson, l. to Gasquet)... Advanced to QF in St. Poelten and followed with 3rd RD appearance at Roland Garros (l. to Gaudio)... Retired in 1st RD at Wimbledon against Muller with right shoulder injury and returned a month later in Umag (l. to Coria in 2nd RD).

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

1996 – Won first ATP title in Oporto (d. Gumy) and runner-up in four other stops… Broke into Top 20 on Aug. 12 after runner-up in San Marino… Compiled a 44-20 record on clay… 1997 – Won a career-high five clay court titles in six finals and posted 42 clay victories (42-8), both ATP bests… Reached first Grand Slam QF at Australian Open… Led Spain to ATP World Team Championship title in Dusseldorf with 4-0 record… Between June and August, won 22 of 23 matches with four titles… Earned a career-high $1,105,593… 1998 – Captured title in Bournemouth (d. A. Costa) and finalist on hard courts in Dubai and Long Island… Turned in Grand Slam-best SF at Roland Garros (l. to Moya)… 1999 – Won title in native Barcelona (d. Alami)… Also reached SF at Auckland, AMS Monte-Carlo, AMS Roma and Gstaad… 2000 – Suffered a season-ending injury in July and underwent right shoulder surgery Aug. 2… 2001 – Won back-to-back Challengers in Espinho (d. Robredo) and Barletta (d. Hipfl)… Advanced to ATP final in Estoril (l. to Ferrero)… Captured ninth career title in Palermo in (d. Nalbandian), saving nine match points in SF win over Portas… 2002 – Reached ATP finals in Doha (l. to El Aynaoui) and Indianapolis (l. to Rusedski)… 2003 – Captured first Masters Series title in Rome (d. Federer)… Began first five months with a 25-12 record highlighted by 4th RD at Australian Open, QF in Vina del Mar and Buenos Aires, SF in Acapulco and title in Rome… Continued success with 4th RD at Roland Garros…2004 – Finished in Top 100 for 10th year in a row… Reached one SF (Sopolt) and three QF (Chennai, Gstaad, Bucharest) during season.

PERSONAL

Began playing tennis at age 10... Member of the winning Spanish Sunshine Cup team along with Albert Costa in 1992 and one of the top Spanish juniors that year... Favorite shot is backhand and clay is favorite surface... Has a 1-0 Davis Cup record... Fitness trainer is Ernesto Lapiedra and coached by Joaquin Munoz.