Credit : Plaza Deportiva
Tennis teachers have tried to change him or guide him towards a different style, yet young Fabrice has made his choice : his tennis will be played with two hands on both sides..
Despite being the exception to the "traditional" tennis style played by the majority of the ATP circuit, the Frenchman has made up his mind ; he will achieve his goals in his own way.
Safin's nightmare, crowds' idol, Spotlight on the outstanding career of the man better known as "the magician".
Credit : TennisTv
Some players are destined to break the rules, break away from the group and play their own kind of tennis, regardless of the traditional methods taught in tennis academies. Fabrice Santoro definitely falls into this category.
When he started playing tennis, young Fabrice picked up an adult racket that was far too heavy for a 7-year-old, unless ... he added a second hand. Santoro didn't know it yet, but he had just created his own particularity and strength: playing with both hands on both sides.
Not favored by his size - not particularly powerful - Fabrice needs to find his weapons and outsmart his opponents, give them a ball they don't know, in other words get inside their head. Santoro's recipe for success? An unreadable backhand combined with prodigious slices and magical net game .
Fabrice Santoro and Roger Federer at the AO. Credit : Tennis World USA
The French prodigy and his incomprehensible game quickly gained some exposure making him one for of the most unique athlete on tour. Fascination for the public, nightmare for the other players, Fabrice is bringing a new flavour to 2000's tennis while reinventing a discipline that seemed to be well established.
In addition to his atypical game style and meticulous play patterns, Santoro seduces tennis audiences all over the world with his charming character. Smiling, joking and above all playful, the magician knew how to entertain his spectators, to the point of stealing the spotlight from a certain Roger Federer at the 2005 Australian Open.
Excellent in singles, prodigious in doubles, the Paris native flourished in all formats. Alongside his partner and friend Michael Llodra, Santoro claimed 28 ATP doubles titles, and to this day remains unbeaten in the Davis Cup doubles format.
Llodra and Santoro winning the ATP finals. Credit : Dicodusport
As he himself admits, it's highly unlikely that we'll ever see a player with two backhands playing at the highest level again, as modern tennis no longer favors this style.
Nevertheless, with 6 ATP single titles and a radically original style of tennis, Santoro has proved in his own way that it is possible for an unacademic player to fill up the trophy shelves.
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