Xavier Malisse
CountryBelgium
ResidenceSarasota, United States
Birth date19 July 1980 (age 46)
Birth placeKortrijk, Belgium
Height1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Turnedpro1998
Retired2013
(last doubles match 2022)
PlaysRight-handed (two-handed backhand)
Careerprizemoney$5,702,871
Singlestitles3
HighestsinglesrankingNo. 19 (12 August 2002)
Australianopenresult3R (2003, 2011)
Frenchopenresult4R (2002, 2004)
WimbledonresultSF (2002)
Usopenresult4R (2001, 2003, 2005)
OthertournamentsYes
Olympicsresult1R (2004)
Doublestitles9
HighestdoublesrankingNo. 25 (7 November 2011)
Australianopendoublesresult2R (2003–2006, 2011)
FrenchopendoublesresultW (2004)
Wimbledondoublesresult3R (2005)
Usopendoublesresult2R (2003)
Updated24 October 2022

Xavier Malisse (born 19 July 1980) is a Belgian tennis coach and a former professional player. Born in the north-western Flemish city of Kortrijk and nicknamed X-Man, he is one of only two Belgian men (the other being David Goffin) to have been ranked in the top 20 of the ATP Tour, with a career-high singles ranking of world No. 19.

Career

Juniors

As a junior Malisse compiled a singles win–loss record of 66–18, reaching as high as No. 10 in the junior world singles rankings in 1997. He made the quarterfinals of Wimbledon in 1997, whilst his final junior tournament was winning Eddie Herr later that year.

1998–2008

Malisse turned professional in 1998.

His best performance in Grand Slam singles competition was at the 2002 Wimbledon championships, where he reached the semi-final, beating Galo Blanco, Vince Spadea, Yevgeny Kafelnikov and Britain's Greg Rusedski in five sets en route, as well as former champion Richard Krajicek. He eventually lost to runner-up David Nalbandian, again in five sets. Malisse and Olivier Rochus won the French Open doubles championship in 2004. He has won three ATP tour singles titles: Delray Beach in 2005 and 2007, and Chennai in 2007.

2009

After a difficult year, Malisse found himself with a world ranking of 205. In his first tournament of the year in Brisbane, he lost in the last qualifying round to American Bobby Reynolds. A week later, in Medibank International Sydney, he reached the main draw, but lost to Mario Ančić in the first round.

At the Australian Open, he first won his qualifying matches. In the first round of the main draw, he defeated Michaël Llodra. However, in the next round, he lost to Andy Roddick in four sets. In October, he won a Challenger tournament in Lyon, and this pushed him back into the world's top 100 for the first time in nearly two years.

He was banned for a year over doping allegations.[1][2]

2010

Malisse lost in the third round of Wimbledon to Sam Querrey in five sets.

2011

Xavier started the 2011 season by reaching the final of Chennai. In March, he won the doubles title in the Indian Wells Masters with Alexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine. He reached the fourth round at Wimbledon, where he lost to Bernard Tomic.

2012

Xavier reached the fourth round of Wimbledon where he faced Roger Federer. Federer won the first two sets and went a break up in the third, but Malisse came back to win the third set and move 2–0 in the fourth. Federer subsequently won six out of the next seven games to win the match and went on to win the Title.

2016–2018

After retiring in 2013 and competing in an ITF doubles event in 2015, Malisse entered the 2016 Meerbusch Challenger in doubles, ultimately conceding a walkover to end his playing career. He then participated in the ATP Champions Tour until 2018.

2021–2022

Malisse came out of retirement to play doubles at the 2021 European Open having received a wildcard alongside Lloyd Harris whom he was coaching.[3] The pair made the semifinals defeating top seeds Ivan Dodig and Marcelo Melo en route before losing to 3rd seeds Jean-Julien Rojer and Wesley Koolhof in straight sets.

He also participated in the 2022 European Open having received again a wildcard to play doubles with Diego Schwartzman. In the first round they managed to beat Raven Klaasen and Marcelo Melo in straight sets.[4] In the quarterfinals, they lost to Botic van de Zandschulp and Tallon Griekspoor in two tie-breaks.[5]

Significant finals

Grand Slam finals

Doubles: 1 (1–0)

ResultYearChampionshipSurfacePartnerOpponentsScore
Win2004French OpenClayOlivier RochusMichaël Llodra
Fabrice Santoro
7–5, 7–5

Masters 1000 finals

Doubles: 1 (1–0)

ResultYearTournamentSurfacePartnerOpponentsScore
Win2011Indian WellsHardAlexandr DolgopolovRoger Federer
Stan Wawrinka
6–4, 6–7(5–7), [10–7]

ATP career finals

Singles: 12 (3 titles, 9 runners-up)

Legend
Grand Slam tournaments (0–0)
Tennis Masters Cup /
ATP World Tour Finals (0–0)
ATP Masters Series /
ATP World Tour Masters 1000 (0–0)
ATP International Series Gold /
ATP World Tour 500 Series (0–0)
ATP International Series /
ATP World Tour 250 Series (3–9)
Titles by surface
Hard (3–4)
Clay (0–4)
Grass (0–0)
Carpet (0–1)
Titles by setting
Outdoor (3–8)
Indoor (0–1)
ResultW–LDateTournamentTierSurfaceOpponentScore
Loss0–1Nov 1998Mexican Open, MexicoWorld SeriesClayJiří Novák3–6, 3–6
Loss0–2May 1999Delray Beach ITC, USWorld SeriesClayLleyton Hewitt4–6, 7–6(7–2), 1–6
Loss0–3Mar 2001Delray Beach ITC, USInternationalHardJan-Michael Gambill5–7, 4–6
Loss0–4Apr 2001Atlanta Tennis Challenge, USInternationalClayAndy Roddick2–6, 4–6
Loss0–5May 2004St. Pölten Open, AustriaInternationalClayFilippo Volandri1–6, 4–6
Loss0–6Oct 2004Grand Prix de Tennis de Lyon, FranceInternationalCarpet (i)Robin Söderling2–6, 6–3, 4–6
Win1–6Jan 2005Delray Beach ITC, USInternationalHardJiří Novák7–6(8–6), 6–2
Loss1–7Jan 2006Adelaide International, AustraliaInternationalHardFlorent Serra3–6, 4–6
Loss1–8Feb 2006Delray Beach ITC, USInternationalHardTommy Haas3–6, 6–3, 6–7(5–7)
Win2–8Jan 2007Chennai Open, IndiaInternationalHardStefan Koubek6–1, 6–3
Win3–8Feb 2007Delray Beach ITC, US (2)InternationalHardJames Blake5–7, 6–4, 6–4
Loss3–9Jan 2011Chennai Open, India250 SeriesHardStanislas Wawrinka5–7, 6–4, 1–6

Doubles: 13 (9 titles, 4 runners-up)

Legend
Grand Slam tournaments (1–0)
Tennis Masters Cup /
ATP World Tour Finals (0–0)
ATP Masters Series /
ATP World Tour Masters 1000 (1–0)
ATP International Series Gold /
ATP World Tour 500 Series (0–0)
ATP International Series /
ATP World Tour 250 Series (7–4)
Titles by surface
Hard (8–3)
Clay (1–1)
Grass (0–0)
Carpet (0–0)
Titles by setting
Outdoor (7–3)
Indoor (2–1)
ResultW–LDateTournamentTierSurfacePartnerOpponentsScore
Win1–0Jun 2004French Open, FranceGrand SlamClayOlivier RochusMichaël Llodra
Fabrice Santoro
7–5, 7–5
Win2–0Jan 2005Adelaide International, AustraliaInternationalHardOlivier RochusSimon Aspelin
Todd Perry
7–6(7–5), 6–4
Win3–0Jan 2007Chennai Open, IndiaInternationalHardDick NormanRafael Nadal
Bartolomé Salvá Vidal
7–6(7–4), 7–6(7–4)
Win4–0Feb 2007Delray Beach ITC, USInternationalHardHugo ArmandoJames Auckland
Stephen Huss
6–3, 6–7(4–7), [10–5]
Loss4–1Jan 2008Auckland Open, New ZealandInternationalHardJürgen MelzerLuis Horna
Juan Mónaco
4–6, 6–3, [7–10]
Loss4–2Feb 2011Pacific Coast Championships, US250 SeriesHard (i)Alejandro FallaScott Lipsky
Rajeev Ram
4–6, 6–4, [8–10]
Win5–2Mar 2011Indian Wells Masters, USMasters 1000HardAlexandr DolgopolovRoger Federer
Stanislas Wawrinka
6–4, 6–7(5–7), [10–7]
Win6–2Jul 2011Los Angeles Open, US250 SeriesHardMark KnowlesSomdev Devvarman
Treat Huey
7–6(7–3), 7–6(12–10)
Win7–2Feb 2012Pacific Coast Championships, US250 SeriesHard (i)Mark KnowlesKevin Anderson
Frank Moser
6–4, 1–6, [10–5]
Loss7–3May 2012Bavarian Championships, Germany250 SeriesClayDick NormanFrantišek Čermák
Filip Polášek
4–6, 5–7
Loss7–4Jul 2012Atlanta Open, US250 SeriesHardMichael RussellMatthew Ebden
Ryan Harrison
3–6, 6–3, [6–10]
Win8–4Jul 2012Los Angeles Open, US (2)250 SeriesHardRuben BemelmansJamie Delgado
Ken Skupski
7–6(7–5), 4–6, [10–7]
Win9–4Feb 2013Pacific Coast Championships, US (2)250 SeriesHard (i)Frank MoserLleyton Hewitt
Marinko Matosevic
6–0, 6–7(5–7), [10–4]

ATP Challenger and ITF Futures finals

Singles: 7 (4–3)

Legend
ATP Challenger (4–3)
ITF Futures (0–0)
Finals by surface
Hard (4–3)
Clay (0–0)
Grass (0–0)
Carpet (0–0)
ResultW–LDateTournamentTierSurfaceOpponentScore
Win1–0Oct 2000San Antonio, United StatesChallengerHardRonald Agénor7–6(7–3), 6–3
Loss1–1Oct 2005Mons, BelgiumChallengerHardOlivier Rochus2–6, 0–6
Win2–1Jul 2008Moncton, CanadaChallengerHardDanai Udomchoke6–4, 6–4
Win3–1Aug 2009Granby, CanadaChallengerHardKevin Anderson6–4, 6–4
Loss3–2Aug 2009Vancouver, CanadaChallengerHardMarcos Baghdatis4–6, 4–6
Loss3–3Sep 2009St. Remy, FranceChallengerHardMarcos Baghdatis4–6, 1–6
Win4–3Oct 2009Orleans, FranceChallengerHardStéphane Robert6–1, 6–2

Doubles: 4 (2–2)

Legend
ATP Challenger (2–2)
ITF Futures (0–0)
Finals by surface
Hard (1–1)
Clay (1–1)
Grass (0–0)
Carpet (0–0)
ResultW–LDateTournamentTierSurfacePartnerOpponentsScore
Loss0–1Jul 1999Ostend, BelgiumChallengerClayWim NeefsMarcos Ondruska
Steven Randjelovic
2–6, 4–6
Win1–1Jul 2008Bogotá, ColombiaChallengerClayCarlos SalamancaJuan Sebastián Cabal
Michael Quintero
6–1, 6–4
Win2–1Sep 2008Donetsk, UkraineChallengerHardDick NormanHarel Levy
Noam Okun
4–6, 6–1, [13–11]
Loss2–2Sep 2012Orleans, FranceChallengerHardKen SkupskiLukáš Dlouhý
Gilles Müller
2–6, 7–6(7–5), [7–10]

Performance timelines

Singles

Tournament1998199920002001200220032004200520062007200820092010201120122013W–L
Grand Slam tournaments
Australian OpenAAAA2R3R1R1R2R1R1R2R1R3R1R2R8–12
French OpenA1RA3R4R3R4R2R1RAAA2R2R1R1R13–11
WimbledonA1RA2RSF1R4R2R2RA2R1R3R4R4R1R20–13
US OpenA3R2R4R3R4R1R4R3R2RQ1Q11R1R1R1R17–13
Win–loss0–02–31–16–311–47–46–45–44–41–21–21–23–46–43–41–458–49
ATP Masters Series
Indian Wells MastersA3RAA1R2R2R1R3RA2RAA3R2R1R10–10
Miami MastersA1R2RA1R2R3R2R2RA3RA1R2R2R3R10–12
Monte Carlo MastersAAAA1R1R1R2R1RA1RAA1RA1R1–8
Rome MastersAAAA3R1RAA2RAAAA2RQ21R4–5
Madrid MastersAAAA2RA1RA1RAAAA3RA1R3–5
Canada MastersAAA1R1R1R1R3RQFAAA2RAA1R6–8
Cincinnati MastersA1RA2R3R2R1R1R1RAAAA1RAA4–8
Shanghai MastersNot Masters SeriesAAAAA0–0
Paris MastersAAA3R2RA2R1R1RAAA1RAAA4–6
Hamburg MastersAAAA1R2R1RA1RA1RNMS1–5
Win–loss0–02–31–13–36–93–74–83–67–90–03–40–01–36–62–22–643–67
Career statistics
Titles–Finals0–10–10–00–20–00–00–21–10–22–20–00–00–00–10–00–03–12
Year-end ranking16114512733255548473711216294604947135

Doubles

Tournament20032004200520062007200820092010201120122013W–L
Grand Slam tournaments
Australian Open2R2R2R2R1R1RAA2R1R2R6–9
French Open2RW3RQFAAA1R2R3R1R15–7
Wimbledon2R2R3RAAAA1RA1R2R5–6
US Open2R1RA1RAAA1R3R1R1R3–7
Win–loss4–48–35–34–30–10–10–00–34–32–42–429–29

Top 10 wins

Season1998199920002001200220032004200520062007200820092010201120122013Total
Wins000231102210201116
PlayerRankEventSurfaceRdScore
2001
1.Marat Safin2Los Angeles, United StatesHard2R7–5, 6–3
2.Tim Henman9US Open, New York, United StatesHard3R6–7(6–8), 6–3, 7–5, 4–6, 6–4
2002
3.Marat Safin6Rome, ItalyClay2R6–3, 6–4
4.Tim Henman6French Open, Paris, FranceClay2R6–2, 3–6, 7–6(7–4), 6–3
5.Yevgeny Kafelnikov6Wimbledon, London, United KingdomGrass3R7–6(7–4), 7–5, 6–1
2003
6.Lleyton Hewitt6Cincinnati, United StatesHard1R3–6, 6–4, 6–2
2004
7.Rainer Schüttler7French Open, Paris, FranceClay1R6–4, 7–5, 6–4
2006
8.Gastón Gaudio8Rome, ItalyClay1R4–6, 6–3, 6–3
9.Nikolay Davydenko5Toronto, CanadaHard1R6–3, 7–5
2007
10.Rafael Nadal2Chennai, IndiaHardSF6–4, 7–6(7–4)
11.James Blake6Delray Beach, United StatesHardF5–7, 6–4, 6–4
2008
12.David Nalbandian7Miami, United StatesHard2R6–1, 6–4
2010
13.Novak Djokovic3Queen's Club, London, United KingdomGrass3R6–3, 4–6, 6–2
14.Tomáš Berdych8Washington, D.C., United StatesHardQF6–4, 3–6, 6–2
2012
15.Jo-Wilfried Tsonga7Valencia, SpainHard (i)1R3–1, ret.
2013
16.David Ferrer4Rosmalen, NetherlandsGrass1R7–6(7–3), 6–3

References

  1. ^ "ANTIDOPING – Articles – Decision in the case of Xavier Malisse". ITF Tennis. Archived from the original on 12 March 2017.
  2. ^ "Yanina Wickmayer and Xavier Malisse have doping ban suspended by Belgian court". 14 December 2009.
  3. ^ "Sports news". new.in-24.com. Archived from the original on 20 October 2021. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
  4. ^ "Malisse Teams With Schwartzman For Antwerp Win | ATP Tour | Tennis". ATP Tour
  5. ^ "Melo e Klaasen param na primeira rodada em Antuerpia na Belgica" (in Portuguese). esportefantastico.com.br. 21 October 2022. Retrieved 19 April 2023.