Juan Antonio Marin

2000 IN REVIEW

The Costa Rican No. 1 made a bad start to year but finished with late push on Challenger circuit…Began season with 1-7 record during first three months…Won both rubbers in Davis Cup tie against Cuba on home soil, defeating Kerlin and Lazaro, the latter in five sets for only second five-set win of his career…In May, reached SF in St. Poelten, defeating Schalken in 3rd RD, Hipfl (QF) before losing to Ilie…Failed to win consecutive matches until QF showing in Poznan Challenger…Represented Costa Rica in Sydney Olympics, losing in 1st RD to eventual gold medalist Kafelnikov…In October, reached first Challenger final in Lima (l. to Coria) and followed with QF runs in Sao Paulo and Buenos Aires…Compiled 8-13 record on clay courts, 3-7 on hard.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

1994-Finished in Top 10 at Spain #3 and Uruguay/Paraguay Satellites (10 points)...1995-Played in four Satellites and won singles and doubles at Spain #7 circuit (64 points, 51 points, respectively)...Also a finalist at Spain #6 circuit (37 points) and sixth at Spain #4 circuit (15 points)...Finished third in doubles at Spain #6 circuit (35 points)...1996-Captured first Challenger title in Samarkand (d. Groen) and QF in Montauban, Tampere and Tashkent Challengers...Reached doubles final at Seville Challenger…Also SF at Mallorca Challenger (both w/Maggi)...1997-Began season with runner-up at Punte del Este Challenger (l. to Meneschincheri) and finalist later at Split (l. to Pescariu) and Barcelona (l. to C. Costa) Challengers...In July, reached his first ATP Tour final in Bastad (l. to M. Norman)…1998-Reached SF in Bologna, Umag and Santiago, where he beat No. 2 Rios in 2:55, along with three QF…All 20 match wins came on clay...1999-Enjoyed his best year, winning first career ATP title in Bastad (d. Vinciguerra)…As a result, became first Costa Rican to win an ATP title…Lost in 1st RD at Roland Garros 6-4 in fifth set to Sampras in one of most memorable matches of year…Reached SF in San Marino and QF in Mallorca and Bucharest.

PERSONAL

Began playing at age six with his father who was a member of local club…Born in Costa Rica and moved to Spain at age 14…Played under Spanish nationality until March 1998, when he reverted to Costa Rican, his native country...In his junior years, captured the Costa Rica/Central American 14s title...Favorite musical groups are El Ultimo De La Fila, Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen...Enjoys reading Frederik Forsyth and Spanish literature in general...A big fan of Real Madrid soccer team...Father, Miguel, owns a furniture company in Costa Rica; mother, Marta...Nicknamed "Juancho"...Has a 3-3 career Davis Cup record in two ties…Coached by Alex Mas.