Career
On September 7, 1975, he defeated top-seeded Jimmy Connors in the finals of the US Open at Forest Hills, New York to win his only Grand Slam title. A year earlier, he was runner-up to Björn Borg in the final of the French Open, taking a two-set lead before Borg won the last three sets for the loss of just two games.
Overall, he won 33 singles titles, including Rome (1972), Hamburg (1972 & 1975), Canada (1975), Monte Carlo (1975), the U.S. Claycourt Championships (1973, 1975 & 1977), the U.S. Pro in Boston (1977 & 1978) and the Masters in 1976. He also reached 35 finals, the biggest being the French Open (1974), Cincinnati (1973), Monte Carlo (1970), Canada (1973 & 1974), Rome (1973 & 1975), and Hamburg (1976 & 1977).
He was a stalwart member of the Spanish Davis Cup team from 1967 to 1980, earning a record of 60-27 in Davis Cup match play. He also was a member of the Spanish team which won the inaugural World Team Cup in 1978.
He also won 22 doubles titles in his career, the biggest coming at Hamburg in 1975 and Canada in 1974. He reached 20 doubles finals, including the French Open in 1978, Canada in 1976, and Hamburg in 1973.
Orantes was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame as part of its Class of 2012.
Read more about this topic: Manuel Orantes
Famous quotes containing the word career:
“A black boxer’s career is the perfect metaphor for the career of a black male. Every day is like being in the gym, sparring with impersonal opponents as one faces the rudeness and hostility that a black male must confront in the United States, where he is the object of both fear and fascination.”
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