Stefan Edberg

Stefan Edberg was born the January 19th 1966 with Västervik (Sweden). Domiciled with Västervik. Player of professional Tennis of 1983 with 1996, droitier with reverse with a hand, practices to it service-flight. Cut 1 meter 88. It counts with its prize list 41 titles including 6 of the Grand Slam.

Career

Although Swedish, Stefan Edberg is the antithesis of his famous compatriots Björn Borg and Mats Wilander. Instead of practicing a play of defense and against, Edberg is a expensive follower of the service-flight with John McEnroe, the adversary of Borg.

Having in the beginning a reverse with two hands, Edberg is one of the examples more seizing players having made a success of a major change of their play. Under the impulse of its Swedish trainer Percy Rosberg, it passed to 15 years to a reverse to a hand which will be regarded as one of most beautiful male circuit of the Années 1980 and 1990.

Stefan Edberg gains its first large title in 1982 with the Orange Bowl, kind of Masters of the junior-juniors. It appears as from 1983 by carrying out the Large Slam among Juniors, exploit unequalled to date. It is the reference for a whole generation, even for its future adversary Boris Becker which at that time regards it as “unplayable” (See Boris Becker, Without net , 2004)

Considering that its blow average right does not enable him to become a basic good player of short, Edberg is assailing systematically connecting service-flight with the image of 1 world in 1984, John McEnroe.

1985 - 1987: rise to power

Edberg begins really its professional path in 1984 with as trainer English Tony Picard. It gains a first title with Milan finally by beating its Wilander compatriot. But it is in 1985 qu ' it is essential like a large future by gaining its first title of the large slam in Australia. On the grass of Kooyong, it again beats Wilander 6/4 6/3 6/3. However the true revelation of the year 1985 is not other than its eternal adversary, German Boris Becker, who gained a few months before him the title in Wimbledon. The two juniors confirmed that it was going to be necessary to take into account from now on them in the seniors.

Edberg confirms its Australian title by again gaining the tournament of the antipodes in 1987. It beats this time regional stage, Australian the Pat Cash in 5 sets 6/4 6/3 3/6 5/7 6/3. It reaches this year the 2nd world place and gains 7 titles. It becomes also 1 world of double and gains with its compatriot Anders Jarryd the titles with the US Open and the Open of Australia. They fail on the other hand finally of Roland-Garros where environment at the time the handing-over of the trophies was heavy since the Swedes, of fair-play nature, disputed the match point who would be according to them an enormous fault of arbitration.

1988: Victoire in Wimbledon

The dedication arrives in 1988. Arrived finally of Wimbledon, after having come very close to defeat in semi-final against talenteux Tchéquoslovaque Miloslav Mečíř, Edberg finds Boris Becker for the first time in a great final. In July 1988, Becker remains unconquered on Center Court of Wimbledon since after these two titles of 1985 and 1986, Boris had been eliminated in 1987 on court 1. The final of Wimbledon 1988 will be exploited two days by finishing Monday because of bad conditions weather. Whereas it carries out 3-0, ball of 4-0, Edberg crumbles in the first sleeve which it leaves in Becker 4/6. It clings to the second set and manages to carry it with tie break 7/6. London public, at the origin very acquired with the cause of the pet Boris Becker, called " Boom" boom; , starts to be irritated by angers of this last. Increasingly aggressive and trustful in return, Edberg removes the two sets according to 6/4 6/2, in front of a public obviously as delighted as at the time of the victory of Becker in 1985.

For the two duettists who are Edberg and Becker, the year 1989 constitutes already the top of their career which will last 3 years. Ivan Lendl is only old generation to prevent them from reaching the first world place. After a small slam in 1988, Mats Wilander starts a long decline, John McEnroe does not play more the first parts whereas the American changing, symbolized by Andre Agassi, watch the end of the nose.

1989: the regret Roland Garros

Edberg is, according to the observers, the favorite for the title in Australia with the sight of its level of play. But it is wounded with the back at the time of its match against Pat Cash and must declare fixed price for its 1/4 of finale against Thomas Muster (which will be wounded to him also seriously a few months later in an car accident the day before its final with Key Biscane).

Arrived at Roland Garros, Edberg benefits from a dry climate which makes the ground beaten a little more favorable than to the practice with the attackers. It arrives into 1/4 of finale without losing energy too much and faces the new terror of the beaten ground, the argentien Alberto Mancini, winner in Monte Carlo. In spite of a heavy ground this day because of the rain, Edberg is essential in 3 sets on the general surprise and finds Becker into 1/2. In spite of some great hits and a match in 5 sets, the version ground beaten of the finale of Wimbledon 1988 is disappointing. Edberg and Becker make many faults and it is Edberg which is essential in evening. The final opposes it to the revelation of the tournament Michael Chang, which beat Lendl into 1/8 of finale. Obviously stressed, Edberg loses the first sleeve 6/1 curtly and is made breaker. But the Swede finds his play of attack and connects 7 consecutive plays to carry out 1/6 6/3 6/4 4/3. It is with the 4th set that Edberg lets pass its chance. To 4-3 30-40, it is separated from the title only by one point and a play of service. But Chang saves 10 balls of station-wagon on the whole of the set and carries it 6-4. In spite of a station-wagon of entry to the 5th set, Edberg crumbles physically and Chang gains the final 6/1 3/6 4/6 6/4 6/2. Never Edberg will find similar occasion to gain Roland Garros.

Obviously blunted, Edberg reaches all the same the final of Wimbledon 1989. After having easily beaten McEnroe into 1/2 finale, it is again Boris Becker which it finds finally. But this time the German seems mentally very prepared. After having curtly lost first set 6/0, Edberg carries out 6-5 service to be followed to the 2nd set. But nothing made there, Becker is the Master of short and is essential 6/0 7/6 6/4. It is an hard blow for Edberg, which has just lost two important finales by playing an high level of tennis. It again loses against Becker finally the Open one of Paris-Bercy and the two champions clash ultimate once in 1989 finally Masters of New York. After a beginning of average match where the spectrum of a new defeat finally seemed to be promised, Edberg turns over the situation. Thanks to a very aggressive play, it manages to cause the anger of Becker, hurting it to play. Edberg is essential 4/6 7/6 6/3 6/1.

1990: the world n°1

Stefan Edberg was not often wounded in its career. Its physique was naturally good. For lack of chance, he will know his only large wound finally of the Open of Australia in 1990. After having flown over the tournament and to have inflicted very severe 6/1 6/1 6/2 in Mats Wilander into 1/2, Edberg dominates the 1 finally world Ivan Lendl. It gains first set 6/4 and carries out of a station-wagon to the second set. It is at this time that its abdominal belt, already painful with the drive, starts to crack. Kiné lets it continue but Edberg cannot be useful any more correctly. To 4/6 7/6 5/2 for Lendl, Edberg gives up before its wound does not become too serious. Whereas the victory seemed to him promised, Edberg loses a third finale of the large slam consecutive.

Suffering from large bulbs to the foot, it loses as of the first turn with Roland-Garros vis-a-vis Sergi Bruguera. Becker encases the step to him while losing against Goran Ivanišević. These two ladykillers will make a beautiful career thereafter.

In July, Edberg and Becker are found finally with Wimbledon for the third time of continuation. This " belle" announces itself undecided. Becker does not seem as well as possible of its form at the time of the first two sets. As it will reveal it in its autobiography, it suffered from the jet lag and had become dependant with the sleeping pills. It had risen only to 10:00 to involve final the very same day! Edberg, which plays to him well, carries the first two sets 6/2 6/2. Then Becker makes a station-wagon and awakes. It takes the two sets according to 3/6 3/6 and carries out 3/1 to 5th. The two players play well, Edberg having had itself balls of station-wagon with 1-1. It resticks to 3-3 then 4-4. Unfortunately for Becker, Edberg is étincelant with the return. To 30-40 on the service of Becker, Edberg releases a lob very inspired and makes the station-wagon. Its service does not betray it and the Swede gains its second title in Wimbledon.

During the summer 1990, Edberg launches out in hunting in the first world place which it feels with carried hand. It then gains three tournaments in Los Angeles, Cincinnati and Long Island and becomes n°1 world on Monday, August 13, 1990. But as that often arrives, this excellent summer does not concretize with the US Open where Edberg again left to the first turn by the Volkov Russian. Edberg gains then the title with Open of Paris-Bercy, while benefitting from the abandonment of Becker and is presented to the Masters as a 1 world. After having beaten it out of hen, Edberg is inclined finally vis-a-vis Andre Agassi which, like Edberg in 1989, thus saves its season after having lost the finales of Roland Garros and Flushing Meadow.

1991: A beautiful season

The Open of Australia 1991 is played into full Guerre with the Gulf. Environment is heavy with Melbourne and the Israeli player Amos Mansdorf declares fixed price due to military mobilization. Edberg plays well but inexplicably will lose its 1/2 finale against Ivan Lendl. Whereas it leads 2 sets to 1, Edberg obtains several match points to the 4th set. It however loses with the 5th set 6/4 5/7 3/6 7/6 6/4 and leaves the place of 1 world in Boris Becker who gains the tournament.

After having gained the tournaments of Tokyo outdoor and Stuttgart, Edberg seems in the shape with Roland Garros. It currycomb some ground good players beaten like Skoff, Andrei Chesnokov and Cherkasov. But it cannot anything into 1/4 finale against new terror Jim Courier. Edberg east demolishes 6/4 2/6 6/3 6/4 and sees once again Roland Garros refusing with him.

It gains for the first time the Tournoi of Queen' S to London, preparing traditionally with Wimbledon. Holding of the title makes a course without fault again. Boris Becker already qualified for the final, one prepares with one 4th confrontation finally. It is without counting on a strange match in semi-final where Edberg is opposed to German Michael Stich. Edberg gains the first sleeve 6/4 and incredibly will lose the three following with the tie break. Edberg inclines 4/6 7/6 7/6 7/6 without losing its service! Mini scandal in Wimbledon, temple of tennis, where holding of the title is eliminated without losing its service because of a tie break set up to answer the problems of diffusion of tennis on television.

During the US summer 1991 and American season preparing Open one, Edberg is not same success as in 1990. Edberg always had evil to play Flushing Meadow because of the noise of the planes passing above the exchange, of the discussions of the public and the odors of hot dog. It thus decides to rent a house with Island Length in order to better accustom itself with the life New Yorkaise. Is this the miracle cure? Always it is that Edberg plays a tennis of dream in this end of summer 1991. It corrects successively Chang, Sanchez and Lendl to reach the final. Jim Courier, however in full rise, will not be able anything against completely unplayable Edberg. 6/2 6/4 and 6/0, the business is roundly carried out and Stefan Edberg allocates its first title to New York, its 5th in a lifting of the large slam.

Edberg again finishes the year in the first world place by gaining Sydney and Tokyo in indoor but cannot take part in the Masters due to wound.

1992: the last exploit

After almost two months of inactivity, Stefan Edberg sometimes happens at Melbourne with the objective to arrive into 1/2 of finale. Profiting from a relatively lenient table, Edberg rises without difficulty until 1/4 of finale where Ivan Lendl waits. Edberg carries it in 5 sets then eliminates Wayne Ferreira into 1/2 finale. Against any waiting, it is found once again finally with Melbourne. But Jim Courier shows the owner of short and gains the title in 4 sets 6/3 3/6 6/4 6/2.

The Swede thus leaves the place of n°1 world to the American. He gains a second tournament over beaten ground (after Gstaad in 1986) with Hamburg by beating Stich. That could have been of good omen for Roland Garros. Alas it of it will be nothing since Edberg is inclined with the 3rd turn.

In April 1992, Stefan Edberg marries its been engaged Annette Olsen to Vaxjö in Sweden.

The bad series continues in Wimbledon with a defeat into 1/4 of finale against the future finalist Goran Ivanišević. Edberg is also carry-flag of the Swedish delegation for the Olympic Games of Barcelona. But he will not reiterate his exploit of 1984 (gold medal for the tournament of demonstration with Los Angeles) and his 3rd place of 1988 (double bronze medal with Seoul into simple and double).

After having gained the tournament of New Haven, Edberg is presented while holding of the title with US Open of 1992. It will sign an absolutely sensational exploit there by gaining three consecutive matches in 5 sets. Because of the rain, the programming was upset. It thus beats Richard Krajicek in 1/8e of finale 6/4 6/7 6/3 3/6 6/4, then Ivan Lendl into 1/4 of finale 6/3 3/6 6/3 5/7 7/6 and finally Michael Chang into 1/2 finale 6/7 7/5 7/6 5/7 6/4. This match finished saturdays, the day before the finale of the simple Sirs. Filled of aches, Edberg is made mass long hours before being able to involve itself. The final against Pete Sampras takes place in evening. Sampras empoche the first sleeve 3/6 and Edberg following 6/4. The turning of the match takes place when Edberg tears off the 3rd set with the tie break. Sampras seems cut down and Edberg concludes 6/2, thus preserving its title.

1993: Lower mode

In 1993, Stefan Edberg remains a powerful and regular player. It passes the major part of the year in the 3rd world place behind Pete Sampras and Jim Courier. Amusing small detail: the first three world uses the same racket, Wilson Pro Original Staff.

Edberg again rises finally Open of Australia, by beating Pete Sampras into 1/2 finale in 3 sets 7/6 6/3 7/6. But as in 1992, Jim Courier is intractable finally and is essential 6/2 6/1 2/6 7/5.

Edberg again gains a preparatory tournament over beaten ground, with Madrid, while being essential finally on Sergi Bruguera, future winner in Paris. The Swede carries out a good Roland Garros, by reaching the 1/4 of finale where the Ukrainian Andreï Medvedev the crucifie of its lobs.

The birth of Emilie Edberg takes place in the month of July 1993. Stefan Edberg wants to be offered for this occasion a beautiful performance to Wimbledon. It reaches the semi-final without meeting major adversaries. Whereas it leads a set and a station-wagon vis-a-vis to Jim Courier, Edberg loses the wire of its play. Whereas it is on its favorite surface vis-a-vis an adversary little at ease, it is finally Jim Courier who qualifies himself for the final.

Eliminated with the 3rd the US turn Open one, Edberg carries out all the same a semi-final with Paris-Bercy. From now on father of a little girl, tennis is not any more all his life, which very quickly will feel on its play and its career.

1994: Demotivation?

Stefan Edberg begins its season very well by gaining the tournament of Doha to the Qatar. Arrived at Open of Australia, it can nourish some hopes. By chance its table is released and a new place finally seems carried with hand. Unfortunately, Edberg will lose three again tie break of continuation 3/6 7/6 7/6 7/6 against American Todd Martin. It will reach never again the last square of a large slam. It finally gains the tournament indoor of Stuggart by beating Ivanisevic but undergoes then cooking reverse while losing with the first turn of Roland Garros and with 2nd in Wimbledon.

It reduces then its collaboration with Tony Picard at least to be dealt with. But the career of Edberg starts to decline. Its only satisfaction will be the victory with Sweden in Coupe Davis. It finishes the year in the 7th world place, without to have made great results.

1995: A badly lived decline

Edberg again begins its year by a victory in Doha. But it will be its very last title into simple. 1995 will be the worst season of the Swede with early defeats a little everywhere. The improvement of the allowing material of the increasingly effective returns of service, the play of service-flight of Edberg does not resist it, especially that at 29 years its service is less effective than before.

In full doubt, Edberg undergoes an outstanding defeat with the 2nd turn of Wimbledon vis-a-vis Dick Norman, an unknown fished out after the qualifications.

Considering that it will not be able to succeed any more of great results, Stefan Edberg announces that 1996 will be its last year on the circuit.

1996: A beautiful round of good-byes

Everywhere where it passes, Edberg is awaited by the public and the organizers of tournament which want to greet it last once. It is a good-bye with the Swedish player, but also with the ideal of play which it represents and which will disappear with him: service stolen. The generation of the strikers with large sieve involves a general improvement of the return of service which will sacrifice the waiter-volley-ball players in the long term.

After a sad defeat against Jean-Philippe Fleurian into simple, Edberg leaves Flinders Park with a trophy under the arm: it gains with Petr Korda the title Doubles Sirs, its 3rd in large slam.

After one season on completely correct beaten ground, Edberg presents last once to Roland Garros. Contrary to Henri Leconte, who is curtly made leave, Edberg will enchant the public of Paris. It leaves Karim Alami and Carlos Moya before finding Michael Chang for a remake of the finale 1989. For one 3rd turn, the exchange is packed. Carried out 6-4 5-4 by Chang, Edberg aligns 9 consecutive plays then to carry out 4-6 7-5 6-0. Edberg found its service and especially its long reverse of line. He concludes the meeting with the tie break from the 4th set. It is a little a revenge on the history and for the first time Edberg shows its enthusiasm and lengthily greets the public which makes him an ovation. He will be beaten two days later by Marc Rosset on short Lenglen. To join the cloakrooms of the exchange, the public makes him an alley of honor which submerges the Swede of emotion.

Like a sign of the destiny, Edberg will dispute its very last final on the circuit in Queen' S of London, the club where it is involved, vis-a-vis… Boris Becker! In tightened an enough match, Becker carries it again and the two old adversaries give each other appointment for a revenge to Wimbledon. Unfortunately Edberg misses its exit on its dear grass. It beats certainly Guy Forget on the exchange with the 1st turn but is inclined with 2nd on the court n°2 vis-a-vis its Tillstroem compatriot.

But Edberg did not die. He inherits a difficult pulling to US Open: he faces with the first turn the winner of Wimbledon Richard Krajicek. The press makes already advertisements so that the public comes to see last once the double winner of the editions 1991 and 1992. But surprised, Edberg beats the Netherlander! It goes even until 1/4 of finale where it is stopped by a intractable Goran Ivanisevic with the service.

After a victory over Michael Stich with the 1st turn the Open one of Paris-Bercy, the history will retain that the very last victory of Stefan Edberg over the professional circuit was obtained against Fernad Wibier, in 1/8e of finale. It is inclined then against Tomas Enqvist, future victorious. In Stockholm, Edberg, which returned in the signal 15 world, loses with the first turn and is seen offering a rocking flesh for its retirement! The children give each one a pink to Edberg in tears.

Whereas he hoped to finish his career by a Davis championship victory, Edberg is wounded with the foot at the time of its meeting vis-a-vis Cédric Pioline. It finishes the meeting all the same but must be inclined. One does not remake oneself: its last blow will be a backhand volley… Sweden inclines then accuracy vis-a-vis in France, whereas Nicklas Kulti had however had 3 match points of continuation vis-a-vis Arnaud Boetsch. Once the finished battle, the captain of the team of victorious France, Yannick Noah, carries Edberg on its shoulders for a very last lap of honor.

Today

In 2005, the American journalists of Tennis Magazine elected Stefan Edberg with the 14th rank of the " forty great champions of Tennis of these forty last années" (men & women confused), just behind Monica Saddles (13th) and in front of its compatriot Mats Wilander (15th).

Stefan founded with Mats Wilander a school of tennis in Vaxjö. It is also one of the world ambassadors of Adidas. Always in the town of Vaxjö, Edberg has a large housing stock in the center of this city of the south of Sweden from where is originating his Anette wife, Mats Wilander but also the old driver of Formule 1 at Ferrari and McLaren Stefan Johansson.

During an interview dated from the beginning of the year 2006, Stefan Edberg entrusted that it had left London to turn over to live in Sweden with his wife and her two children Emilia and Christopher. It is involved always regularly and in spite of some participations in tournaments exhibitions with buddies like Jarryd, Nystroem and Wilander, it is still not aligned on the Senior Turn.

It was in Roland Garros to give the cut to the winner Rafael Nadal in 2006 and also in Wimbledon with its trainer of always Tony Pickard.

It took part during the summer 2007 in a tournament of Golf Adidas in company of Ivan Lendl. It will be aligned at the time of a tournament veteran to Copenhagen with the Denmark in November 2007 in company of Henri Leconte and John McEnroe, this last making him a permanant seat so that it takes part in the ATP Senior Turn.

Prize list

Coupe Davis

  • Victorious with Sweden in 1984,1985,1994.
  • Finalist in 1986,1988,1989,1996.

Titles into simple (42)

Tournament of the Large Slam

  • Open of Australia:
Winner in 1985 (B. Mats Wilander) and 1987 (B. Stalemate Cash)

Finalist in 1990 (PC Ivan Lendl), 1992 (PC Jim Courier) and 1993 (PC Jim Courier)

Finalist in 1989 (PC Michael Chang)
  • Wimbledon:
Winner in 1988 (B. Boris Becker) and 1990 (B. Boris Becker)

Finalist in 1989 (PC Boris Becker)

Winner in 1991 (B. Jim Courier) and 1992 (B. Pete Sampras)

  • Victorious of the Large Slam at the Junior in 1983 Victorious

  • in Double US Open 1987 and the open one of Australia 1987 (with Anders Jarryd) and of Open of Australia 1996 (with Petr Korda)

Course in Large Slam

Into simple

The open one of Australia disputes in the last and on grass.

The open one of Australia is held in first and on hard (as from 1988).

In double

Masters

Olympic Games

  • Gold medal into simple with the plays of 1984 with Los Angeles

  • Bronze medal into simple and double (with Anders Jarryd) with the Olympic Games of Seoul in 1988

Other results

World N°1

From the 13-08-1990 to 27-01-1991

From the 18-02-1991 to 07-07-1991

From the 09-09-1991 to 09-02-1992

From the 23-03-1992 to 12-04-1992

From the 14-09-1992 to 04-10-1992

Tragic incident

At the time of a match in semi-final of the US Open junior on September 10th, 1983, in which Stefan Edberg faces Patrick McEnroe, one of the referees of line, Richard Wertheim, 61 years, seeking to avoid the ball of a first service of Swedish, falls to ground and fractures cranium by running up against the cement ground. The referee dies 5 days later of a hématome under-dural. Edberg is then 17 years old and will gain the tournament, at the same time carrying out the large Slam of the tournaments junior. He will state thereafter to have planned to put an end to his career following this accident. The family of the referee will prosecute United States Tennis Association for an amount of 2,25 million dollars

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