Albert Costa facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Albert Costa

Albert Costa in 2012
Country (sports)	Spain
Residence	Barcelona, Spain
Born	(1975-06-25) 25 June 1975 (age 49) Lleida, Spain
Height	1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Turned pro	1993
Retired	2006
Plays	Right-handed (one-handed backhand)
Prize money	$7,673,478
Singles
Career record	385–273 (58.51%)
Career titles	12
Highest ranking	No. 6 (22 July 2002)
Grand Slam singles results
Australian Open	QF (1997)
French Open	W (2002)
Wimbledon	2R (1996, 1998)
US Open	4R (2001)
Other tournaments
Tour Finals	RR (1998, 2002)
Olympic Games	2R (1996)
Doubles
Career record	30–57 (34.48%)
Career titles	1
Highest ranking	No. 102 (12 January 2004)
Grand Slam doubles results
Australian Open	3R (2005)
Wimbledon	1R (2003)
US Open	1R (2003)
Team competitions
Davis Cup	W (2000)
Medal record Representing  Spain Men's Tennis Bronze 2000 Sydney Doubles

Albert Costa Casals was born on June 25, 1975. He is a former professional tennis player from Spain. He is most famous for winning the men's singles title at the French Open in 2002.

Albert Costa's Tennis Journey

Albert Costa started playing tennis when he was five years old. He was a very good junior player. In 1993, he reached the French Open junior final. He also won the Orange Bowl, a big junior tournament.

Later that year, he became a professional player. He quickly became known as a strong player on clay courts. A Spanish tennis commentator once called him "the man with two forehands." This was because he could hit both his forehand and backhand shots with great power and accuracy. In 1994, he won two smaller tournaments. He was also named the ATP's Newcomer of the Year.

Early Career Wins

Costa won his first major singles title in 1995 in Kitzbühel. He beat Thomas Muster, who was known as the "King of Clay." This win was special because it ended Muster's long winning streak on clay courts.

He won three more titles in 1996. In 1997, he won two singles titles. He also helped the Spanish team win the World Team Cup. Costa won two more singles titles in 1998. One of these was a big event in Hamburg. He played very well at the French Open that year.

Davis Cup and Olympic Success

In 2000, Albert Costa helped Spain win its first ever Davis Cup. This is a major international team competition in tennis.

He also won a bronze medal at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney. He won this medal in men's doubles with his partner, Álex Corretja.

Winning the French Open

When the French Open started in 2002, not many people thought Costa would win. He hadn't won a tournament since 1999. He was ranked 20th in the tournament.

He beat several strong players to reach the fourth round. There, he defeated Gustavo Kuerten, who had won the French Open twice before. Costa then won a tough five-set match in the quarterfinals. In the semifinal, he played his friend and fellow Spaniard, Àlex Corretja, and won.

In the final, Costa played against Juan Carlos Ferrero, another Spanish player. Ferrero was expected to win, but Costa played amazingly well. He won the match in four sets: 6–1, 6–0, 4–6, 6–3. This was his first Grand Slam title! This big win helped him reach his highest ever ranking, World No. 6, in July 2002.

Later Career and Retirement

In 2003, Costa returned to the French Open as the defending champion. He played many long matches, winning four five-setters. He eventually lost in the semifinal to Juan Carlos Ferrero, who then went on to win the title.

During his career, Costa won 12 singles titles. In 2005, he won his first doubles title in Doha. His partner was Rafael Nadal, who later became a tennis superstar.

Albert Costa stopped playing professional tennis on April 21, 2006. He had some injuries and felt it was time to retire. His last tournament was in his hometown of Barcelona.

After Retirement

In December 2008, Costa became the captain of Spain's Davis Cup team. He led Spain to win two Davis Cup titles in 2009 and 2011. He is considered the most successful Spanish Davis Cup captain. After that, he handed the captaincy to Àlex Corretja.

Costa also coached ATP professional player Feliciano López.

Albert Costa's Life Outside Tennis

When Albert Costa was growing up, his idol was the famous tennis player John McEnroe. Besides tennis, he enjoys playing cards, table tennis, golf, and soccer. He is a big fan of the football club Barcelona and his hometown team UE Lleida. He also looks up to sports legends like Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, and Ronaldo.

A week after winning the French Open in 2002, Albert Costa married his longtime girlfriend, Cristina Ventura. They have twin daughters named Claudia and Alma, who were born on April 21, 2001.

Career Highlights

French Open Final

Result	Year	Championship	Surface	Opponent	Score
Win	2002	French Open	Clay	Juan Carlos Ferrero	6–1, 6–0, 4–6, 6–3

See also

In Spanish: Albert Costa para niños

• List of Grand Slam men's singles champions