MaliVai Washington Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids
MaliVai Washington
Singles
Washington at the US Open, 2010
Country (sports)	United States
Residence	Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, US
Born	(1969-06-20) June 20, 1969 (age 56) Glen Cove, New York, US
Height	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Turned pro	1989
Retired	1999
Plays	Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Prize money	$3,232,565
Career record	254–184
Career titles	4
Highest ranking	No. 11 (October 26, 1992)
Grand Slam singles results
Australian Open	QF (1994)
French Open	4R (1993)
Wimbledon	F (1996)
US Open	4R (1992)
Other tournaments
Grand Slam Cup	QF (1996)
Olympic Games	QF (1996)
Doubles
Career record	27–44
Highest ranking	No. 172 (April 20, 1992)
Grand Slam doubles results
US Open	2R (1991)

MaliVai "Mal" Washington (born June 20, 1969) is a former professional tennis player from the United States. He is best known for reaching the men's singles final at the famous Wimbledon tournament in 1996. During his career, he won four major tennis titles and reached a high ranking of world No. 11 in October 1992.

Washington's Tennis Family
Playing Tennis as an Amateur
MaliVai's Professional Career
Awards and Humanitarian Work
Grand Slam Finals
- Singles: 1 (1 runner-up)
ATP Tour Finals
- Singles (4 titles, 9 runner-ups)
- Doubles (1 runner-up)
See also

Washington's Tennis Family

MaliVai started playing tennis when he was just five years old. Tennis runs in his family! His younger sister, Mashona, also became a professional tennis player and was ranked in the top 50. His younger brother, Mashiska, played college tennis at Michigan State University before joining the pro tour. MaliVai's older sister, Michaela, also played tennis professionally.

Playing Tennis as an Amateur

In high school, MaliVai was coached by Victor Amaya, who was also a professional tennis player. MaliVai played tennis for the University of Michigan for two years. He was the top-ranked college player in the United States during his second year. He decided to leave college early to become a professional tennis player.

MaliVai's Professional Career

MaliVai Washington officially became a professional tennis player in 1989.

Early Successes in Tennis

In 1990, when he was ranked No. 103, MaliVai surprised everyone by beating the world No. 2 player, Ivan Lendl, in a match in New Haven. The score was 6–3, 6–2.

The year 1992 was a big one for MaliVai. He won his first two major titles. He won the Memphis title, beating Wayne Ferreira in the final. Then, he won the U.S. Men's Clay Court Championships in Charlotte, North Carolina. He beat Claudio Mezzadri to win that title. In October of that year, he reached his highest career ranking of No. 11 in the world.

In 1993, MaliVai reached his first big "Masters" final in Miami. He played against tennis legend Pete Sampras but lost in straight sets.

Grand Slam Highlights

At the 1994 Australian Open, MaliVai reached the quarterfinals, which is a great achievement in a Grand Slam tournament. He had some impressive wins there, including beating the second-seeded player, Michael Stich, in the first round. He also beat other top players like Michael Chang and Stefan Edberg that year. In October 1994, he won his third ATP title in Ostrava.

In 1995, MaliVai had another big win when he defeated the world No. 1 player, Andre Agassi, at the Essen Masters. He made it to the final of that tournament but lost to Thomas Muster.

Wimbledon Final and Retirement

MaliVai's biggest moment in a Grand Slam event was in 1996 at the Wimbledon Championships. He made it all the way to the final! On his way, he beat the ninth-seeded player, Thomas Enqvist. In the semifinal, he had an amazing comeback, winning after being far behind in the final set. Before the tournament, not many people thought he would do so well; his chances of winning were 300 to 1! He eventually lost the final match to Richard Krajicek. Later that year, he got a bit of revenge by beating Krajicek easily at the Grand Slam Cup.

Unfortunately, MaliVai started having problems with a knee injury in 1997. This injury caused him to miss a lot of playing time in 1997 and 1999. Because of this ongoing injury, he decided to retire from professional tennis in December 1999.

Awards and Humanitarian Work

After his tennis career, MaliVai Washington continued to make a positive impact.

In 2009, he received the Arthur Ashe Humanitarian of the Year award. This award recognized his great work through the MaliVai Washington Youth Foundation. This foundation helps children and young people through tennis and education.
In 2015, he won the NJTL Founders' Service Award from the USTA (United States Tennis Association). This award was given for his ongoing efforts to support education and tennis for kids, especially those who might not have many opportunities.

Grand Slam Finals

MaliVai Washington played in one Grand Slam final during his career.

Singles: 1 (1 runner-up)

Result	Date	Championship	Surface	Opponent	Score
Loss	1996	Wimbledon	Grass	Richard Krajicek	3–6, 4–6, 3–6

ATP Tour Finals

MaliVai Washington reached several finals in ATP Tour events.

Singles (4 titles, 9 runner-ups)

Result	W/L	Date	Tournament	Surface	Opponent	Score
Loss	0–1	Jan 1992	Auckland, New Zealand	Hard	Jaime Yzaga	6–7^(6–8), 4–6
Win	1–1	Feb 1992	Memphis, U.S.	Hard (i)	Wayne Ferreira	6–3, 6–2
Loss	1–2	Apr 1992	Tampa, U.S.	Clay	Jaime Yzaga	6–3, 4–6, 1–6
Win	2–2	May 1992	Charlotte, U.S.	Clay	Claudio Mezzadri	6–3, 6–3
Loss	2–3	Jun 1992	Manchester, England	Grass	Jacco Eltingh	3–6, 4–6
Loss	2–4	Aug 1992	New Haven, U.S.	Hard	Stefan Edberg	6–7^(4–7), 1–6
Loss	2–5	Jan 1993	Auckland, New Zealand	Hard	Alexander Volkov	6–7^(2–7), 4–6
Loss	2–6	Mar 1993	Miami, U.S.	Hard	Pete Sampras	3–6, 2–6
Win	3–6	Oct 1994	Ostrava, Czech Republic	Carpet (i)	Arnaud Boetsch	4–6, 6–3, 6–3
Loss	3–7	Oct 1995	Ostrava, Czech Republic	Carpet (i)	Wayne Ferreira	6–3, 4–6, 3–6
Loss	3–8	Oct 1995	Essen, Germany	Carpet (i)	Thomas Muster	6–7^(6–8), 6–2, 3–6, 4–6
Win	4–8	Apr 1996	Bermuda	Clay	Marcelo Filippini	6–7^(6–8), 6–4, 7–5
Loss	4–9	Jul 1996	Wimbledon, England	Grass	Richard Krajicek	3–6, 4–6, 3–6