Spotlight: Nathalie Tauziat, Tennis

Click here for more on this story

Posted: Friday May 21, 1999 11:14 AM

Tauziat hopes to roll at Roland Garros. Bob Martin

Birthdate: October 17, 1967

Birthplace: Bangui, Central African Republic

Residence: Bayonne, France

Upcoming Event: French Open, May 24-June 6, Paris

Worth Watching Because: At age 31, Tauziat is playing the best tennis of her career. The ninth seed at the 1999 French Open, she will meet fellow Frenchwoman Amelie Cocheteux in the first round. Tauziat has appeared at Roland Garros in each of the past 15 years, advancing as far as the quarterfinals in 1991.

Tauziat made her long-awaited breakthrough in 1998, reaching her first Grand Slam final and cracking the Top 10 for the first time since turning pro in 1984. The No. 16 seed at Wimbledon last year, Tauziat shocked second-seeded Lindsay Davenport in the quarterfinals and knocked off Belarus' Natasha Zvereva in the semis before falling to Jana Novotna in the final match. In August 1998 Tauziat achieved her highest-ever singles ranking, becoming the No. 8 player in the world. She then went on to her best U.S. Open in five years -- reaching the fourth round -- and finished the year above the $4 million mark in career prize money.

Only the 18th woman in professional tennis history to win 500 matches, Tauziat is an experienced, aggressive player known for her success at the net. Her classic serve-and-volley game -- which has brought consistently good results on grass -- may not be as well-suited to the clay courts at Roland Garros. The way Tauziat has been swinging the racket, though, she can be a threat on any surface.

Greatest Success: Reaching the No. 8 world singles ranking on August 17, 1998.

Quote/Unquote: "It's important to show them that we're here. They have to realize everybody can play well, young or old."

-- Tauziat, on being a veteran player among the many young up-and-comers in tennis

Cool Fact: Tauziat is the cousin of Didier Deschamps, midfielder and captain of the French national soccer team.

Come back soon for a new women's sports Spotlight.

 

Related information
Stories
Previous Women's Sports Spotlights
Multimedia
Click here for the latest audio and video
Search our site	Watch CNN/SI 24 hours a day
	Sports Illustrated and CNN have combined to form a 24 hour sports news and information channel. To receive CNN/SI at your home call 1-888-53-CNNSI.

Copyright © 1999 CNN/SI. A Time Warner Company. All Rights Reserved.
Terms under which this service is provided to you.
Read our privacy guidelines.