Olivier Rochus biography
Date of birth : 1981-01-18
Date of death : -
Birthplace : Namur, Belgium
Nationality : Belgian
Category : Sports
Last modified : 2011-05-30
Credited as : Professional Tennis player, ATP tour, Roland Garros and Wimbledon
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CAREER:
At just 5-foot-6, Olivier Rochus is one of the smallest players on the ATP tour. He has an older brother, Christophe (another diminutive Belgian, at 5-foot-7), who is also a pro. Olivier has won two career singles titles: Palermo in 2000 and Munich in 2006. He has reached the fourth round of a major three times, at Wimbledon in 2003, at the U.S. Open in 2004 and at the Australian Open in 2005.
Singles Titles
2006: Munich
2000: Palermo
Doubles Titles
2005: Adelaide
2004: Roland Garros
2010:
At the 2010 Sony Ericsson Open he defeated Richard Gasquet 7-6(2), 1-6, 6-4, and the 2007 titlist and no.2 seed Novak Djokovic 6-2, 6-7(7), 6-4. In the Nice tournament, one week prior to Roland Garros, he pulled off another upset defeating 2009 French Open finalist Robin Söderling 2-6, 6-4, 6-4.
He recently defeated at the Hall of Fame Campbell's Tennis Championship Raven Klaasen of South Africa but lost to Mardy Fish in the final in 3 sets.
PERSONAL:
Full name is Olivier Laurent Pierre Rochus
Nicknamed "Olli"
Began playing tennis at age six along with his older brother Christophe
Has one younger brother, Pierre
His future ambition is to win Davis Cup title with his brother, whom he considers his best friend on circuit
Father, Jean-Paul, is a doctor; mother, Anne, is a dentist
Favorite player growing up was Pete Sampras
Ambition as a child was "to be tall"
Advanced to junior SF at Roland Garros and Wimbledon in 1997
Won Wimbledon junior doubles title (w/Federer) in 1998
Finished No. 11 in junior rankings in 1997 and No. 19 following year
Also played table tennis and handball as a youngster
Considers backhand and return as strengths and favorite surface is hard courts
Has a 15-18 career Davis Cup record (11-11 in singles) in 18 ties since 2000
ATP Newcomer of Year in 2000
Elected to ATP Player Council in June 2006
Fitness trainer is Patrick Meur and coached by Julien Hoferlin.