Mats Wilander

Lore & Background

Wilander's breakthrough came unexpectedly when he won the 1982 French Open at age 17, becoming the youngest male Grand Slam singles champion at that time. He won his fourth major singles title at age 20, the youngest man in history to achieve that feat. In 1988, he won three of the four singles majors—the Australian Open, French Open, and US Open—to finish the year ranked world No. 1. He also won eight Grand Prix Super Series titles from 1983 to 1988 and was a driving force behind Sweden's run of seven consecutive Davis Cup finals from 1983 to 1989, with titles in 1984, 1985, and 1987.

Wilander retired from professional tennis in 1996. He was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2002. His career included 33 singles titles and seven doubles titles, including a Wimbledon men's doubles title in 1986 with countryman Joakim Nyström.

Reader's Guide

Mats Wilander's significance lies in his remarkable 1988 season, when he won three of the four major singles titles and ascended to world No. 1, ending Ivan Lendl's three-year reign. His versatility across surfaces—winning majors on grass, hard, and clay—places him among an elite group of seven men to achieve that feat since 1978. Wilander's early success, winning the French Open at 17 and four majors by age 20, set records that highlighted his precocious talent. His 1988 US Open final victory over Lendl, lasting 4 hours 54 minutes, was the longest US Open singles final to that point. Beyond individual achievements, Wilander contributed to Sweden's Davis Cup dominance in the mid-1980s. His career, spanning from 1980 to 1996, includes 33 singles titles and a reputation for fair play, exemplified by his request to replay a match ball in the 1982 French Open semifinal, for which he received the Pierre de Coubertin World Fair Play Trophy. Wilander's legacy endures as one of tennis's most accomplished players, particularly noted for his 1988 peak and his adaptability across all major surfaces.

Did You Know?

• Wilander won the 1982 French Open at age 17, becoming the youngest male Grand Slam singles champion at that time.
• He is one of only four men to have won at least two major singles titles on grass, hard, and clay courts.
• In 1988, Wilander won three of the four major singles titles and finished the year ranked world No. 1.
• He won the Pierre de Coubertin World Fair Play Trophy after requesting a replay of a match ball in the 1982 French Open semifinal.