Amelie Mauresmo

Amélie Mauresmo is a French former professional tennis player, and former world No. 1. She won two Grand Slam singles titles in 2006, at the Australian Open and at the Wimbledon Championships; she also won a Silver Medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics.

Mauresmo first achieved the top ranking in 2004, holding it for five weeks. Renowned for her powerful one-handed backhand and strong net play, she was a physically dominant presence on the court. Her professional career spanned 15 years before she retired in December 2009. Post-retirement, Mauresmo transitioned into coaching, working with several WTA and ATP players, including Andy Murray. In 2021, Mauresmo was appointed as the director of the French Open.

Mauresmo took up tennis at a young age and entered the professional circuit at 15. After excelling on the junior tour, she quickly rose through the ranks to become one of the top young players globally. Her breakthrough came in 1999, when she defeated top-ranked Lindsay Davenport at the Australian Open. Mauresmo remained a top 10 player for several years, reaching the No. 1 ranking -- the second woman to achieve this prior to a Grand Slam victory.

After retiring from professional play, Mauresmo became a successful coach, working with top-tier players like Victoria Azarenka and Marion Bartoli. In 2014, she made history by becoming the first female coach of a top male player, Andy Murray. Additionally, she serves as a tennis analyst for EuroSport and is a vocal supporter of LGBT athletes, being openly lesbian herself.

In recognition of her remarkable career and impact on tennis, Mauresmo was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2015.