Grant Stafford

1998 IN REVIEW

Fell out of Top 100 in singles after back-to-back seasons, but compiled a career-best doubles campaign...In February, advanced to back-to-back QF in Memphis (d. Haas, l. to Rios) and Philadelphia...Played in Davis Cup 1st RD tie vs. Germany and lost to Kiefer (in five sets) and Haas...Did not win consecutive singles matches rest of year...In doubles, enjoyed best stretch of season during U.S. claycourt circuit in April with Kevin Ullyett, as they won titles in Orlando and Coral Springs in between a SF in Atlanta...In July, earned third title on hardcourts in Washington...Added a QF in Indianapolis (w/Ullyett)...Won a career-high 29 matches and finished a year-end best No. 47 in doubles, No. 19 in Team Rankings (w/Ullyett).

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

1990-Qualified at his only Tour stop in Washington...1991-Qualified six times on ATP Tour...1992-Qualified and reached 3rd round at Wimbledon...1993-Finished first time in Top 100 (at No. 86) and reached first ATP Tour singles final in Durban (l. to Krickstein)...1994-Began season with career-best RD 16 at Australian Open (l. to Ivanisevic)...1995-Tied his '91 personal-best with six Tour main draw qualifying appearances...1996-Reached first Tour final in Newport (l. to Pereira) since Durban in 1993...Went 15-2 in Challenger play in April and May, winning titles in West Bloomfield (d. Sargsian), Andijan (d. Simian) and Jerusalem (d. Haggard)...Won first career Tour doubles title in Tel Aviv (w/Ondruska)...Also won the Lexington Challenger doubles title (w/Grant)...1997-Reached his third ATP Tour final in Orlando (l. to Chang), reached SF in Philadelphia and Newport and QF in Nottingham...Ranked in Top 100 every week for first time...Led Tour in break points converted (48%)...Earned a career-high $275,775. CAREER FINALIST (3): 1993-Durban; 1996-Newport; 1997-Orlando. CAREER DOUBLES TITLES (4). GRAND SLAM RECORD CAREER9897969594939291 AUS. OPEN4-61ST 2ND- 1ST4TH1ST1ST- FRENCH OPEN0-31ST 1ST- - 1ST- - - WIMBLEDON3-61ST 1ST2ND- 1ST1ST3RD- US OPEN2-5 -2ND1ST- 1ST1ST- 2ND

PERSONAL

Began playing at age 4 under the guidance of his mother, Lorrain...Finished No. 3 in the world junior rankings in 1989...Won 1989 U.S. Open juniors title (w/W. Ferreira)...Won African Games singles and doubles (w/de Jager) gold medals in 1995 in Zimbabwe...Has a 1-5 career Davis Cup record in four ties...Wife, Wendy (married May 11, 1997)...Coached by Dennis Van der Meer.