Fabrice Santoro

• Date of birth: December 9, 1972
• Birthplace: Tahiti, French Polynesia
• Residence: Geneva, Switzerland
• Height:  5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
• Weight: 163 lb (74 kg)
• Plays:  Right-handed; two-handed on both sides
• Turned Pro: 1989

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Fabrice Vetea Santoro (born December 9, 1972) is a French professional male tennis player known for using both hands for every possible shot. He was born in Tahiti, the largest island in French Polynesia, located in the Pacific Ocean.

Santoro has been most successful in doubles; he has won the 2003 and 2004 Australian Opens partnering Michaël Llodra, and has been runner-up at the 2002 Australian Open, 2004 French Open and at 2006 Wimbledon. He also won the 2005 French Open, he won the Roland Garros mixed doubles title with Daniela Hantuchová.

In addition to his doubles prowess, Fabrice is noted for his cheery attitude on court and his vast arsenal of trick shots, making him a crowd favorite. His varied and innovative style of play has earned him the nickname The Magician.

Santoro plays with two-hands on forehand and backhand, and though he is right-handed, often slices his forehand with the left hand. He attributes this to his having used racquets of the same weight through out his career, which made it too heavy for a six year old starting off a career, to hold with one hand.[1] Santoro has beaten many former world number one players including Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras, and is famous for his record against Marat Safin. At 34, he is currently the second-oldest player in the ATP Top 100 (after Jonas Bjorkman). He has also tied, during the 2007 U.S. Open, André Agassi's record in Grand Slam appearances over his career with a total of 61 participations, and is likely to break it during the next 2008 Australian Open.

Career

Santoro won the longest singles match in the Open Era. At the 2004 French Open, he beat fellow Frenchman Arnaud Clément in a 6h 33m first round match, winning 6-4 6-3 6-7 3-6 16-14.
In the 2007 U.S. Open, he tied André Agassi's record of 61 appearances in Grand Slam events.
Santoro is 7-2 lifetime against Marat Safin. Santoro often drives Safin crazy during matches, to a point where the Russian stated "being told I would play Santoro was being told I was to die."
Santoro holds a 9-2 record over compatriot Sebastien Grosjean.
In the 2005 US Open, he lost to the eventual champion Roger Federer 7-5 7-5 7-6.
On November 20, 2005, Santoro teamed with Michael Llodra, a French compatriot, to win the 2005 Tennis Masters Cup in Shanghai, a competition which pitted the top 8 doubles teams in the world against one another.
He was the first leader of the ATP Champions Race, winning the first tournament of the year in Doha in the year the Race was introduced.
The 2006 Australian Open was his first Grand Slam quarter-final appearance.
Fabrice is a big fan of the French comedian Michel Colucci.[1]
According to ATPTennis.com he has lost more singles matches (406) than any other pro (active or not), as of the end of 2007. Overall, however, he has won over half of his matches, with a career record of 437-406.

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