Jim Courier Biography

1970-

American tennis player

Jim Courier, arguably the world's best men's tennis player for one all-too-brief period in the early 1990s, has always managed to keep things in perspective. Although he has not been the toast of the tennis world since the beginning of the first Clinton administration, Courier, who won both the French Open and Australian Open twice, has found a comfortable role on and off the court. He is again involved with the game he once dominated, while still pursuing other passions such as rock music.

Despite retiring from competitive tennis in 2000 at age 29—following a successful 12-year career—the temperamental and tenacious Courier continues to stay in the public eye. Courier introduced himself to the newest generation of tennis fans in summer 2001 when he signed a multi-year deal with Turner Sports to work as a television analyst, initially covering Wimbledon. Courier, about a year later, increased his tennis world profile when he agreed to assist U.S. Davis Cup captain Patrick McEnroe.

Courier finished with a 506-237 record, 23 singles titles and the four Grand Slams. He earned more than

Jim Courier

$13.5 million in prize money and was ranked No. 1 in 1992. He also sported a 16-10 record in seven years in Davis Cup competition for the United States.

Brief but Noteworthy Reign

Courier's intensity may have contributed to the burnout that marked the beginning of his downfall. His reign at No. 1 was relatively brief, but noteworthy. Americans saw him as a standard-bearer, and one more than willing to represent his country in Davis Cup competition (an event some tennis stars avoid).