Irakli Labadze

Began playing tennis at age six at a local club with his father, Givi, who at age of 20, played on one of Russia's best soccer teams...He then began to play tennis at 33 and became a solid amateur player; mother, Ketino, also played tennis; younger brother, Kote, is studying law in Georgia...Favorite hobbies are playing soccer (not watching it on TV for too long) and chess (took four months of lessons when he was eight)...His favorite food is Italian because it's similar to Georgian...Enjoyed an outstanding junior career by reaching final at Wimbledon in 1998 (l. to Federer) and SF at European Championships in 1997...Finished as No. 10 junior in world in 1998...Considers his forehand as best shot...Has a 12-1 career Davis Cup record (8-0 in singles) in seven ties…Coached by Carl Wetter.

1999- Opened season with runner-up at U.S. Futures #1 in Orlando (l. to J. Blake) and two months later, reached QF at Philippines Futures #1 and SF at Philippines Futures #2...In May, reached final at U.S. Futures #4 in Vero Beach, Fla. (l. to Russell) and in October, a finalist in Mexico Futures #6 (l. to Peppas)...2000- Continued successful play in Futures events, by reaching QF in Miami and Orlando before winning title in Boca Raton (d. Daniel) in January...Moved on to Challenger level in March and advanced to QF in Lisbon followed by SF in Budapest and first title in Furth (d. Elsner)...Later advanced to SF at Linz and Cairo Challengers...In doubles, won back-to-back titles at Quito (w/F. Costa) and Santiago (w/Vemic) Challengers and reached final at Ho Chi Minh (w/Ullyet) and Budapest (w/Pescariu) Challengers...2001- Compiled an outstanding 29-15 record at Challenger level, including two titles...Reached ATP QF in Sopot and Shanghai...Posted career-best win over childhood idol Agassi in Shanghai...In doubles, reached first ATP final in Sopot (w/Savolt) and St. Petersburg (w/Safin)...2002-Finished in Top 100 for first time...Won two Challenger titles for second straight year...Defeated Boutter at Roland Garros for first career Grand Slam victory before falling to Gaudio in 2nd RD...First match at the All-England Club resulted in a four-set win against No. 18 seed El Aynaoui...First Challenger title of year came at Brest (d. Srichaphan)...Added title at Kiev Challenger title in September (d. Fraile) and one month later reached final at Brest Challenger (l. to Llodra)...In doubles, reached final in St. Petersburg (w/Safin)…2003- Finished in Top 100 INDESIT ATP Entry Rankings for second straight year…Performed well on Challenger circuit, compiling a 27-10 record and three titles…Had 6-17 mark on ATP circuit, including one QF…Reached only QF of season in Memphis, defeating Lisnard and Blake before losing to Vahaly in three sets…Advanced to 2nd RD following month in Delray Beach by winning straight sets match against Sluiter but fell to A. Martin in next round…Won three set match against Vahaly on clay in Houston before losing to eventual winner Agassi in 2nd RD…After reaching 2nd RD in St. P÷lten (l. to Saretta) failed to win another ATP circuit match until ending four month drought in Moscow with three-set win against Nieminen before losing to Calleri…Excelled on Challenger circuit in August and September by reaching finals in Monchengladbach, SF in Freudenstadt and winning titles in Kiev and St. Jean de Luz…Closed season with title at Dnepropetrovsk Challenger (d. Levy).

The Georgian No. 1 finished in Top 100 for third consecutive year after winning a personal-best 14 matches on ATP circuit…Season was highlighted by two SF appearances, including first career ATP Masters Series in Indian Wells…Began season slowly, losing first five matches on ATP and Challenger circuits before arriving in Indian Wells…Recorded wins over Ascione, No. 7 Moya, Arazi, Calleri and Blake before losing to Henman in SF…After helping Davis Cup Euro/Africa Group II 1st RD loss to Italy, moved to European clay and reached SF in Estoril, where he retired against Safin with a back injury while leading 3-2 in first set…Returned to action at AMS Roma and reached 2nd RD (d. Gaudio, l. to Massu)…After 2nd RD five-set loss to Santoro at Roland Garros, moved to grass and advanced to 2nd RD at Wimbledon (l. to Hewitt)…Returned to clay in Bastad but 1st RD win over Hellstrom was his last of year as he went 0-6 afterwards…Retired in 1st RD of US Open against Golmard with right wrist injury and returned for one tournament in Moscow (l. to Stepanek)…Compiled 8-7 record on clay, 5-9 on hard and 1-2 on grass…Earned a career-high $345,752.