Karol Kucera

Member of the Czechoslovakia Galea Cup teams in 1991-92 and member of the 1992 European championship squad... Since the separation of Czechoslovakia, plays Davis Cup for Slovakia... Played in Atlanta Olympics, losing in the 2nd RD to eventual gold medalist Andre Agassi... Wife, Katarina (married Nov. 17, 2001 in Bratislava)... Has a 32-17 career record, including 26-10 in singles in 23 ties since 1994... Fitness trainer is Frank Horvath and coached by former ATP pro Marian Vajda since October 2001 (after working with Miloslav Mecir from 1997-Sept. 2001).

2004 -- The Slovak finished out of Top 100 for the first time in three years while registering his lowest match wins total (11) since 1993…For first time in his career, he reached 2nd RD at all four Grand Slams…Played two Davis Cup matches, winning both…Defeated Moodie in tie against South Africa in April…In September, defeated Florian Mayer in tie against Germany…Also represented Slovakia in the Olympics, where he lost to Safin in 1st RD…Opened season by reaching 2nd RD in Sydney and Australian Open (l. to Hewitt both times)…Reached lone ATP QF in Milan…Was 8-3 in Challenger events…Won title at Grenoble Challenger (d. Mahut)…Reached QF at Prague Challenger…In doubles, won title at Prague Challenger (w/ Suk).

2003 -- Finished in Top 50 for first time since 1999 highlighted by his sixth career ATP title...Posted a 13-3 record in his first four tournaments, highlighted by runner-up in Chennai (l. to Srichaphan), SF in Marseille (l. to Federer) and title in Copenhagen (d. O. Rochus)...Did not win back-to-back matches again until June when he reached QF in Halle and followed with 3rd RD at Wimbledon (l. to Nalbandian)...His best summer hard court results were QF at AMS Montreal (d. Ferrero, l. to Roddick) and 3rd RD at US Open...Compiled 19-9 record on hard, 4-2 on grass and 0-6 on clay.

2002 -- Enjoyed best results at beginning and end of season...Began year with SF run in Chennai and closed with SF in St. Petersburg, defeating top seed Agassi in 2nd RD...Compiled 15-10 record on hard court.

2001 -- Struggled with right wrist injury and missed nearly three months from June until September...Advanced to lone ATP SF of year in Tokyo...Finished season with title at Bratislava Challenger (d. Sargsian) and compiled 8-2 record in Challenger play.

2000 -- Led country to first ATP World Team Championship title in Dnsseldorf by going 4-0 (d. Safin in F)...Reached QF in Sydney, TMS Monte Carlo (d. Kuerten, Medvedev, Schalken, l. to Pioline), Stuttgart and Lyon...Defeated top seed and defending champion Agassi in 1st RD at Roland Garros.

1999 -- Reached QF or better in 10 of 21 tournaments...Won fifth career title in Basel, defeating No. 1 Agassi (QF), Kiefer (SF) and defending champion Henman in final.

1998 -- Finished in Top 10 for first time and compiled a career-high 53 match victories...Qualified for ATP World Chp. in Hannover...Won two titles and finalist in two others... Earned a career-high $1,402,557.

1997 -- Won second title in Ostrava (d. M. Norman) and runner-up in Nottingham (l. to Rusedski) and Stuttgart-outdoor (l. to Bruguera).

1996 -- Reached 3rd RD in three of four Slam events.

1995 -- Won first ATP title in Rosmalen (d. Jarryd).

1994 -- Reached first ATP final in Umag (l. to Berasategui).

1993 -- Qualified for first Grand Slam at Roland Garros.