Stefan Edberg

No. 1 ranking: 13th August 1990
Duration: 72 weeks

A role model of professionalism and great sportsmanship, the son of a Swedish policeman: Stefan Edberg, who's arguably the greatest serve-volleyer the game has seen, capturing six Grand Slam singles titles and worldwide respect, during a 14-year career.

Bjorn Borg's coach, Percy Rosberg, discovered Edberg as the 17-year-old right-hander turned professional in 1983, having won his first title in Milan and became the only player to ever win the junior Grand Slam. With great athleticism and cool temperament 6-foot 2-inch Edberg rushed to the net quickly, executing his shots with finesse and style, taking him to the top of the doubles rankings in June 1986 and singles in August of 1990.

Flying feeling: Celebrating a Sweden Davis Cup triumph in the mid-1980s

Edberg holds the record for most consecutive Grand Slams contested beginning at Wimbledon in 1983 and ending 54 majors later at the 1996 U.S. Open. In that time he appeared in 11 finals, winning Wimbledon (1990-91), the U.S. (1991-92), and the Australian Open twice (1985, 1987) and losing in 1989 at Roland Garros to 17-year-old Michael Chang in the final.

In Davis Cup play for Sweden, Edberg combined superbly with Mats Wilander and doubles partner Anders Jarryd, to play in four winning teams (1984-85, 1987, 1994), finishing with a 45-23 - 33-15 singles - match record.

In thirteen years as a professional Edberg finished in the Top Ten from 1985-1994, becoming the year-ending number one in 1990 and 1991. He won 42 singles and 18 doubles, including three major titles, at the Australian and U.S. Open in 1987, with Jarryd, and the 1996 Australian open swansong with Petr Korda.

Edberg: The master of serve-and-volley

Upon his retirement in 1996, Edberg had been awarded the Adidas Sportsmanship Award five times (1988-90, 1992, 1995) and served as the ATP Tour Charities chairman in 1991. The award has since been renamed, fittingly, the "Edberg Sportsmanship Award."

Grand Slam Record

Australian Open Singles winner 1985, 1987; Singles finalist 1990, 1992-93; Doubles winner 1987, 1996

French Open Singles finalist 1989; Doubles finalist 1986

Wimbledon Singles winner 1988, 1990; Singles finalist 1989

U.S. Open Singles winner 1990-91; Doubles winner 1987; Doubles finalist 1984

Tournament Record (inc. Davis Cup and Olympics)

Olympics Singles Gold medal 1984, Bronze medal 1988; Doubles Bronze medalist 1988

Sweden Davis Cup team member 1983-96; winning side 1984-84, 1987, 1994

Other Information

Junior Grand Slam winner 1983

Adidas Sportmanship Award 1988-90, 1992, 1995

ATP Player of the Year 1990-91

Contributions to the Game

ATP Charities Chairman 1991

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