Thierry Champion


Thierry Champion is a former professional tennis player from France.

Tennis career

Champion was born in Bagnols-sur-Cèze, Gard. During his career, he reached the quarter-finals at the French Open in 1990 and at Wimbledon in 1991.
A clay court specialist, Champion gained notoriety on the men's ATP tour as a wild card player with the ability to inflict defeat on seeded players well above his ranking. His play style was characterised by fast court coverage and strong baseline play with measured heavily spun passing shots, particularly from an unorthodox backhand stroke.
Reaching a career-high singles ranking of World No. 44 on the men's ATP rankings in 1991, subsequent years saw a dwindling career riddled with injury.
Champion is also remembered for being triple bageled in the 2nd round of the 1993 French Open by eventual winner Sergi Bruguera. That was two years after he double breadsticked himself against Pete Sampras.
Champion was the coach of French tennis player Gaël Monfils since September 2004 but they parted company in September 2006. He was also the coach of Hicham Arazi, Nicolas Escudé and Paul-Henri Mathieu. At the 2008 Wimbledon Championships he was seen to be coaching the previous year's semi-finalist and number 8 seed Richard Gasquet.

Career singles finals

Wins (0–1)

OutcomeNo.DateChampionshipSurfaceOpponent in the finalScore in the final
Runner-up1.14 August 1988St Vincent, ItalyClay Kent Carlsson0-6, 2-6

Singles performance timeline