Thomas Muster

Muster was widely considered his generation’s ‘King Of Clay, and was one of fittest players during his career on Tour… it paid off in 1995 when he claimed the Roland Garros title and reached No. 1 in February of 1996, becoming the second oldest player to attain the ranking (Newcombe).

As a 16 year old in 1984, Muster won his first tour-level match in Kitzbuehel (d. Borowiak)… also won his opening match in Vienna later that year (d. Doyle)… enjoyed junior success in 1985, finishing runner-up in the coveted Orange Bowl… showed his proficiency on clay, reaching the junior singles final at Roland Garros in May… reached Top 100 in September of ’85 after semi-final showing in Palermo… won first Grand Slam match at Roland Garros in 1986 (d. No. 28 Wilkison) and followed it up shortly after with first tour level title at Hilversum on clay (d. Hlasek)… reached R32 at Roland Garros and US Open in 1987… won four titles in 1988, all on outdoor clay.

Major breakthrough came at 1989 Australian Open, where he reached the SF, losing to Ivan Lendl… reached final at Key Biscayne in March, rallying from two sets down to defeat No. 13 Yannick Noah in the SF… was struck by a drunk driver on the eve of the final, and was forced to default in order to fly back to Vienna to undergo surgery… his result in Miami enabled Muster to become the first Austrian to break into the Top 10… he had a special chair designed so he could practise hitting balls after his knee surgery… six months later, the Austrian returned to the tour, reaching the quarter-finals in Barcelona (l. Skoff).

He was awarded ATP Tour Comeback Player of the Year award in 1990, reaching the semi-finals at Roland Garros and winning three titles, including his first ATP World Tour Masters Series crown in Rome, and maiden hard court title in Adelaide… named Austrian Sportsman of the Year… continued to show clay court dexterity over next few years, highlighted by seven titles in 1993… in 1995, won first Grand Slam title at Roland Garros and had a 40 match win streak on clay from February through June… claimed 12 titles in 14 finals, won 12 matches against Top 10 opponents and was named Austrian Sportsman of the Year for a second time.

His clay court dominance continued in 1996, when he compiled a 46-3 record, winning seven titles, including two ATP Masters Series events (Monte-Carlo and Rome)… reached No. 1 on 12 February, becoming the 13th player to achieve the ranking… had best hard-court results in 1997, with titles in Dubai and Key Biscayne, and a semi-final run at the Australian Open… struggled on clay, going 9-9… appeared in fourth ATP Tour World Championship… career winded down in 1998 and 1999, with the Austrian reaching his 55th final in Estoril (l. Berasategui) in April of ‘98. Closed out career with opening-round loss at Roland Garros in 1999 to Nicolas Lapentti.

In his spare time, Muster enjoys photography and shoots the occasional tennis match… also likes abstract art and painting, and has a musical talent for drums… has one child, Christian, born in 2001… started a fashion label in 2003, ‘TOMS’, which debuted its first summer collection in Vienna two years later… his entrepreneurial spirit saw the Austrian expand his brand into the wine and water industries in 2005… has a license to fly helicopters... Muster currently competes on the ATP Champions Tour.

1999 -- The veteran Austrian played a limited schedule, playing in 11 tournaments during season...Opened campaign by reaching SF in Sydney with victories over three Top 30 opponents -- No. 24 Bjorkman, No. 5 Moya and No. 30 Stoltenberg -- before losing to eventual champion Todd Martin..Did not win back-to-back matches in his 10 other tournaments...Advanced to 2nd RD in Dubai and Monte Carlo where he beat No. 18 Johansson...His last event of year was at Roland Garros in late May when he lost in 1st RD to Lapentti in four sets...Took remainder of season off to reflect on his career and enjoy flying his helicopter in Noosa Heads, Australia, his other residence.

1998 -- Reached final in Estoril (l. to Berasategui) and reached SF in Indian Wells and Mallorca.

1997 -- Compiled his best results on hardcourts with titles in Dubai (d. Ivanisevic) and Key Biscayne (d. Bruguera)...Also a finalist in Cincinnati (l. to Sampras) and SF at Australian Open (l. to Sampras) and Indian Wells...Finished with a career-best 29-8 mark on hardcourts (9-9 on clay)...Appeared in his fourth ATP Tour World Championship as an alternate when Rusedski withdrew with an injury...Oldest player (30) in year-end Top 10.

1996 -- Won seven ATP Tour titles, including six repeat performances from 1995...Biggest highlight came on Feb. 12 when he became the second-oldest player to rank No. 1 for the first time (at 28 years, 4 months)...Held the top spot for one week and then again for five weeks from March 11-April 14...Compiled a 46-3 record on clay, bringing his 1995-96 total to 111-5...It is the best consecutive claycourt record in Open Era play (since 1968)...In first five months, defended titles in Mexico City (d. Novak), Estoril (d. Gaudenzi), Barcelona (d. Rios) and Mercedes Super 9s in Monte Carlo (d. A. Costa) and Rome (d. Krajicek)...Had an 18-match winning streak snapped by Moya in SF of Munich...Won in Bogota in September (d. Lapentti), giving him career titles on five continents...Suffered a hip injury in October and retired in opening-round matches in Stuttgart and Paris...Qualified for his third ATP Tour World Championship (1-2 in round-robin play).

1995 -- Won a career-high 12 titles in 14 finals, highlighted by his first career Grand Slam title at the French Open...Opened his claycourt dominance (65-2 record) in Mexico City where he won for the third consecutive year (d. Meligeni)...That was the start of 40 consecutive clay-court match victories (from February to June) and seven titles - Estoril (d. A. Costa), Barcelona (d. Larsson), Mercedes Super 9 stops in Monte Carlo (d. Becker) and Rome (d. Bruguera), French Open (d. Chang) and St. Poelten (d. Ulihrach)...Streak ended in July in the 1st RD of Gstaad to Corretja...The clay streak was the longest since Bjorn Borg won 44 in a row from 1977-79...Led the ATP Tour with a 12-3 record vs. Top 10 opponents...Made his second ATP Tour World Championship appearance.

1994 -- Won three clay-court titles - Mexico City, Madrid and St. Poelten...Defeated Stich 12-10 in the fifth set in a 5:25 marathon (longest match of year) in the fourth match of the 1st RD Davis Cup tie in Graz...Compiled a 37-9 record on clay.

1993 -- Won seven of nine finals and compiled a 77-21 match record...Led the Tour with 55 claycourt wins (10 losses)...Served as alternate for the ATP Tour World Championship.

1992 -- Won three clay titles - Monte Carlo, Florence and Umag.

1991 -- Captured two claycourt titles in Florence and Geneva...Compiled a 30-13 record.

1990 -- Won titles in Adelaide (on hardcourt), Casablanca and Rome...Also reached the finals in Monte Carlo and Munich and SF at French Open...Finished in the Top 10 for the first time and qualified for the ATP Tour World Championship in Frankfurt...Helped Austria to Davis Cup SF (6-0 record).

1989 -- The first Austrian to reach Australian Open SF and also became the first Austrian ever to reach the Top 10...In March, was struck by a drunk driver in Miami, only hours after defeating Noah to reach final in Key Biscayne, severing ligaments in his left knee...Unable to play final against Lendl and flew back to Vienna for surgery...Returned to tennis less than six months later.

1988 -- Won four of six finals...Won his first U.S. title in Boston, beating Agassi in the QF and Lawson Duncan in clay court final...Also captured claycourt titles in Bordeaux, Prague and Bari...Finished in the Top 20 for the first time...Won first and only doubles title in Bari (w/Panatta).

1987 -- Reached the SF in Vienna and added three QF.

1986 -- Won first Tour title in Hilversum (d. Hlasek).