Feliciano López facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal family name is López and the second or maternal family name is Díaz-Guerra.

Quick facts for kids
Feliciano López
Singles
Lopez at the 2021 French Open
Full name	Feliciano López Díaz-Guerra
Country (sports)	Spain
Residence	Madrid, Spain
Born	(1981-09-20) 20 September 1981 (age 43) Toledo, Spain
Height	1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Turned pro	1997
Retired	2023
Plays	Left-handed (one-handed backhand)
Prize money	US$18,706,677 38th all-time leader in earnings
Career record	506–490 (50.8%) (50.8%)
Career titles	7
Highest ranking	No. 12 (2 March 2015)
Grand Slam singles results
Australian Open	4R (2012, 2015)
French Open	4R (2004)
Wimbledon	QF (2005, 2008, 2011)
US Open	QF (2015)
Other tournaments
Tour Finals	Alt (2014)
Olympic Games	3R (2004, 2012)
Doubles
Career record	260–300 (46.43%) (46.4%)
Career titles	6
Highest ranking	No. 9 (7 November 2016)
Grand Slam doubles results
Australian Open	QF (2009, 2015)
French Open	W (2016)
Wimbledon	3R (2008)
US Open	F (2017)
Other doubles tournaments
Tour Finals	RR (2016)
Olympic Games	SF – 4th (2012)
Mixed doubles
Career record	5–3 (62.5%)
Career titles	0
Grand Slam mixed doubles results
French Open	2R (2004)
Wimbledon	3R (2011)
Team competitions
Davis Cup	W (2008, 2009, 2011, 2019)
Hopman Cup	RR (2017)

Feliciano López Díaz-Guerra (born September 20, 1981) is a Spanish former professional tennis player. He was known for his powerful serve and unique playing style. He reached a career-high singles ranking of world No. 12 in March 2015. In doubles, he reached world No. 9 in November 2016.

López made history in 2005 as the first Spanish male tennis player to reach the quarterfinals of Wimbledon since 1972. He achieved this feat again in 2008 and 2011. He also reached the quarterfinals of the 2015 US Open. In 2016, he won his first Grand Slam title at the 2016 French Open in men's doubles with his partner Marc López.

He won ATP titles in both singles and doubles on all types of tennis courts: hard, grass, and clay. During the 2018 Wimbledon Championships, López set a new record with his 66th consecutive Grand Slam main draw appearance. This record was previously held by Roger Federer. By the 2022 Australian Open, his record grew to 79 consecutive Grand Slam appearances. He also holds the record for most French Open appearances with 21. López retired from professional tennis in 2023.

Playing Style and Strengths
Tennis Career Highlights
Life Outside Tennis
Career Statistics
Records and Achievements
See also

Playing Style and Strengths

Feliciano López is a left-handed player who uses a single-handed backhand. He is famous for his very strong serve. He is also good at hitting the ball repeatedly from the back of the court. López is confident playing close to the net and often uses a "serve and volley" tactic. This means he serves and then quickly runs to the net to hit the next shot.

Unlike many Spanish players who prefer clay courts, López is excellent on grass courts. He reached the Wimbledon quarterfinals three times. He also won four titles on grass, including two at the Queen's Club Championships. His playing style is more like grass-court legends Pete Sampras and Roger Federer than other Spanish players like Rafael Nadal. This is because he has a big serve and likes to come to the net.

Tennis Career Highlights

Early Years and First Steps

Feliciano López started his professional tennis journey in 1997 in Mallorca. In 1998, he played his first ATP tournament. He won his first Futures event in 1999. In 2001, he got his first ATP win and made his Grand Slam debut at the 2001 French Open.

Breaking Through (2002–2005)

In 2002, López started playing regularly on the ATP tour. He reached his first semi-final in Buenos Aires. He also won his first Grand Slam match at the 2002 French Open. At his first Wimbledon, he reached the fourth round. He also beat a top-20 player for the first time. Later that year, he defeated Marat Safin, a top-5 player, in Tokyo. He finished 2002 in the top 100 players.

In 2003, he reached the fourth round of Wimbledon again, losing to Roger Federer. He also reached two semi-finals in Stuttgart and Kitzbühel. He finished the year ranked No. 28.

In 2004, López reached his first final at the Dubai Open, where he lost to Roger Federer. He also reached the fourth round of the 2004 French Open, his best result there. Later, he won his first ATP title at the Vienna tournament. He ended 2004 ranked No. 24.

In 2005, he reached his first Grand Slam quarter-final at 2005 Wimbledon. He also reached another final at the Pilot Pen Tennis tournament.

Continuing Success (2006–2008)

In 2006, López reached a final in Gstaad. In 2007, he had a strong performance at the US Open, reaching the fourth round. He also beat Tim Henman in a memorable five-set match at Wimbledon.

In 2008, López reached the finals of the 2008 Dubai Tennis Championships. He also reached the quarterfinals of Wimbledon for the second time. He played an important role in helping the Spanish Davis Cup team win the title against Argentina.

Major Achievements (2009–2017)

In 2009, López reached his first Masters Series semi-final at the Shanghai Masters. He also helped Spain win the 2009 Davis Cup with his doubles wins.

In 2010, López won his second ATP title at the 2010 SA Tennis Open, ending a five-and-a-half-year wait. He also surprised top seed Rafael Nadal to reach the semi-finals at the Aegon Championships.

López at the 2011 Wimbledon Championships

In 2011, López reached his third Wimbledon quarter-final. He also helped Spain win the 2011 Davis Cup by beating American Mardy Fish.

In 2012, he reached the fourth round of the 2012 Australian Open. He also played in the 2012 Summer Olympics, reaching the third round in singles and the semi-finals in doubles.

In 2013, López won his first grass-court title at the Aegon International in Eastbourne. This was his third ATP title.

In 2014, López successfully defended his Aegon International title. He also reached his third Masters 1000 semi-final at the Rogers Cup, where he lost to Roger Federer.

In 2015, López reached his career-high singles ranking of No. 12. He also made it to the final of the Ecuador Open.

In 2016, López achieved a major highlight by winning the French Open men's doubles championship with Marc López. They also played the last match ever in the old Louis Armstrong Stadium at the US Open.

In 2017, López won his sixth ATP title at the Queen's Club Championships in London. This was his third title on grass courts.

Later Career and Retirement (2018–2023)

López at the 2019 Wimbledon Championships

In 2019, López had a very successful grass-court season. He won both the singles and doubles titles at the Queen's Club Championships. He partnered with Andy Murray to win the doubles title. He also helped the Spanish Davis Cup team win the title again.

In 2021, López continued to set records. He reached the third round of the 2021 Australian Open for the ninth time. He became the oldest player since 1974 to win a major match after being two sets down. He also played in his 77th consecutive Grand Slam at Wimbledon. He broke the record for most appearances in Masters 1000 tournaments with 139. At the 2021 Davis Cup Finals, at age 40, he beat world No. 5, Andrey Rublev. This was only the second time in the Open Era that a player over 40 beat a top 5 player.

In 2022, López made his 79th consecutive Grand Slam appearance at the 2022 Australian Open. He also won his sixth doubles title at the Mexican Open with Stefanos Tsitsipas. He equaled Roger Federer's record of 81 Grand Slam main draw appearances at Wimbledon.

On January 1, 2023, López announced that the 2023 season would be his last after 25 years. He played his final tournament at the 2023 Mallorca Championships. He reached his 93rd ATP career quarterfinal there, becoming the oldest ATP quarterfinalist since 1995. He retired with a singles record of 506 wins and 490 losses. He won more matches on grass (87) than any other Spanish player.

Life Outside Tennis

Feliciano López has also worked as a model for brands like Hugo Boss and Elle magazine. He has endorsed products from Braun and L'Oréal. He has stated that he prefers to be known as a tennis player.

López was born in Toledo and lives in Madrid. His younger brother, Victor, also played professional tennis.

In 2019, López became the tournament director for the Madrid Open.

Career Statistics

Grand Slam Performance

Singles

Tournament	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023	SR	W–L	Win%
Australian Open	A	A	A	3R	1R	3R	3R	2R	2R	1R	3R	2R	4R	2R	3R	4R	3R	1R	1R	1R	1R	3R	1R	A	0 / 20	24–20	55%
French Open	A	1R	2R	1R	4R	1R	1R	1R	1R	2R	1R	1R	1R	3R	2R	1R	3R	3R	1R	1R	1R	1R	Q1	A	0 / 21	12–21	36%
Wimbledon	Q2	A	4R	4R	3R	QF	1R	3R	QF	1R	3R	QF	1R	3R	4R	2R	3R	1R	2R	2R	NH	1R	1R	A	0 / 20	34–20	63%
US Open	A	A	2R	1R	3R	2R	2R	4R	1R	1R	4R	3R	3R	3R	3R	QF	2R	3R	1R	3R	1R	1R	A	A	0 / 20	28–20	58%
Win–loss	0–0	0–1	5–3	5–4	7–4	7–4	3–4	6–4	5–4	1–4	7–4	7–4	5–4	7–4	8–4	8–4	7–4	4–4	1–4	3–4	0–3	2–4	0–2	0–0	0 / 81	98–81	55%

Doubles

Tournament	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023	SR	W–L	Win%
Australian Open	1R	2R	1R	2R	A	3R	QF	2R	2R	A	1R	1R	QF	2R	3R	2R	1R	1R	A	A	A	0 / 16	15–16	50%
French Open	3R	1R	1R	1R	2R	A	1R	A	2R	A	3R	3R	2R	W	1R	SF	2R	3R	A	3R	A	1 / 16	24–14	63%
Wimbledon	1R	2R	2R	A	A	3R	A	A	A	A	A	2R	A	A	1R	A	2R	NH	1R	1R	A	0 / 9	6–7	55%
US Open	3R	QF	3R	1R	2R	QF	A	1R	A	A	2R	1R	1R	SF	F	2R	2R	A	A	2R	A	0 / 15	23–15	61%
Win–loss	3–4	5–4	3–3	1–3	2–2	6–2	3–2	1–2	2–1	0–0	3–3	3–4	4–3	11–2	7–4	6–3	3–4	2–2	0–1	3–3	0–0	1 / 56	68–52	57%

Grand Slam Finals

Doubles: 2 (1 Title, 1 Runner-up)

Result	Year	Tournament	Surface	Partner	Opponents	Score
Win	2016	French Open	Clay	Marc López	Bob Bryan Mike Bryan	6–4, 6–7^(6–8), 6–3
Loss	2017	US Open	Hard	Marc López	Jean-Julien Rojer Horia Tecău	4–6, 3–6

Olympic Medal Finals

Doubles: 1 (1 Fourth Place)

Result	Year	Tournament	Surface	Partner	Opponents	Score
4th place	2012	Summer Olympics, London	Grass	David Ferrer	Julien Benneteau Richard Gasquet	6–7^(4–7), 2–6

Records and Achievements

These records were achieved during the Open Era of tennis.
Records in bold mean Feliciano López is the only player to achieve them.
Records in italics are ongoing streaks.

Time span	Record accomplished	#	Players matched
2001 French Open – 2022 Wimbledon	Most Grand Slam main draw appearances	81	Roger Federer
2001 French Open – 2021 French Open	Most consecutive French Open main draw appearances	21	Novak Djokovic
2002 French Open – 2022 Australian Open	Most consecutive Grand Slam main draw appearances	79	Stands alone
2001 French Open – 2021 French Open	Most French Open main draw appearances	21
2001 French Open – 2022 Wimbledon	Most main draw appearances at each Grand Slam	20
1998 Barcelona Open – 2023 Barcelona Open	Most ATP 500 main draw appearances at single tournament	22
2002–2021	Most Masters series main draw appearances	139
1998–2023	Most ATP 500 main draw appearances	97
2002–2023	Most Hard surface main draw appearances	279
1998–2023	Most Outdoor main draw appearances	394
1998–2023	Most ATP main draw appearances	486
1998–2023	Most ATP main draw losses	490