Manuel Orantes facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Manuel Orantes

Country (sports)	Spain
Residence	Barcelona, Spain
Born	(1949-02-06) 6 February 1949 (age 76) Granada, Spain
Height	1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Turned pro	1968 (amateur from 1964)
Retired	1983
Plays	Left-handed (one-handed backhand)
Prize money	$1,398,303
Int. Tennis HoF	2012 (member page)
Singles
Career record	722–292 (71.2%) in pre Open-Era & Open Era
Career titles	36
Highest ranking	No. 2 (23 August 1973)
Grand Slam singles results
Australian Open	QF (1968)
French Open	F (1974)
Wimbledon	SF (1972)
US Open	W (1975)
Other tournaments
Tour Finals	W (1976)
Olympic Games	F (1968, demonstration)
Doubles
Career record	298–155
Career titles	23
Highest ranking	No.1 1975
Grand Slam doubles results
Australian Open	SF (1968)
French Open	F (1978)
Wimbledon	QF (1972)
US Open	3R (1975)
Team competitions
Davis Cup	F (1967Ch, 1970)
Medal record Representing  Spain Mediterranean Games Gold 1971 İzmir Singles Gold 1971 İzmir Doubles Silver 1967 Tunis Doubles

Manuel Orantes Corral, born on February 6, 1949, is a famous tennis player from Spain. He was a professional player who won many matches. Manuel won 36 big tennis tournaments in his career. One of his most important wins was the US Open in 1975, where he beat the champion, Jimmy Connors. He even became the second-best tennis player in the world at one point!

Manuel Orantes: A Tennis Star

Manuel Orantes had an amazing tennis career. On September 7, 1975, he won his only Grand Slam title at the US Open in New York. He beat the top player, Jimmy Connors, in the final match.

A year before that, in 1974, Manuel almost won the French Open. He was playing against Björn Borg and was ahead by two sets. But Borg made an incredible comeback and won the next three sets, taking the title.

Manuel won 36 singles titles in total. These included big tournaments like Rome (1972), Hamburg (1972 and 1975), Canada (1975), and Monte Carlo (1975). He also won the Masters tournament in 1976. He reached the finals in 35 other tournaments too.

Manuel was a very important part of the Spanish Davis Cup team from 1967 to 1980. He played many matches for his country. He also helped Spain win the first-ever World Team Cup in 1978.

Besides singles, Manuel was also great at doubles. He won 22 doubles titles, including Hamburg in 1975 and Canada in 1974. He reached 20 doubles finals, showing his skill in team play.

In 2012, Manuel Orantes was honored for his achievements. He was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame. This means he is recognized as one of the greatest tennis players of all time.

Big Wins and Close Calls

Manuel Orantes played in some of the biggest tennis tournaments, known as Grand Slams. Here's how he did in the finals:

Grand Slam Singles Finals

Manuel played in two Grand Slam singles finals. He won one and was the runner-up in another.

Result	Year	Championship	Surface	Opponent	Score
Loss	1974	French Open	Clay	Björn Borg	6–2, 7–6(7–1), 0–6, 1–6, 1–6
Win	1975	US Open	Clay	Jimmy Connors	6–4, 6–3, 6–3

Grand Slam Doubles Finals

Manuel reached one Grand Slam doubles final.

Result	Year	Championship	Surface	Partner	Opponents	Score
Loss	1978	French Open	Clay	José Higueras	Gene Mayer Hank Pfister	3–6, 2–6, 2–6

Other Important Tournaments

Manuel also played in other very important tournaments, like the year-end championships.

Winning the Masters Cup

He won the singles title at the Masters Cup once.

Result	Year	Championship	Surface	Opponent	Score
Win	1976	Masters	Carpet (i)	Wojciech Fibak	5–7, 6–2, 0–6, 7–6(7–1), 6–1

Doubles Success

He also had a win in doubles at the Masters Cup.

Result	Year	Championship	Surface	Partner	Opponent	Score
Win	1975	Masters	Carpet (i)	Juan Gisbert Sr.	Jürgen Fassbender Hans-Jürgen Pohmann	Round robin

Images for kids

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  Manuel Orantes in 1974.

See also

In Spanish: Manuel Orantes para niños