Thomas Muster finally retired at the age of 44 after losing in the first round of his home event in Vienna in October 2011.
The end —
Thomas Muster finally retired at the age of 44 after losing in the first round of his home event in Vienna in October 2011.
Muster became the first Austrian tennis player to win a grand slam title when he beat former champion Michael Chang of the U.S. in the final of the 1995 French Open, and briefly topped the world rankings the following year.
Chang's conqueror —
Muster became the first Austrian tennis player to win a grand slam title when he beat former champion Michael Chang of the U.S. in the final of the 1995 French Open, and briefly topped the world rankings the following year.
Muster's career was almost over before it had started, after being hit by a drunk driver in a car park before the final of an American event in 1989. But he returned to action within six months despite suffering serious knee injuries.
Overcoming injury —
Muster's career was almost over before it had started, after being hit by a drunk driver in a car park before the final of an American event in 1989. But he returned to action within six months despite suffering serious knee injuries.
In 1997 Muster returned to Key Biscayne in Florida, the scene of his accident, and beat two-time French Open champion Sergi Bruguera of Spain in the final.
Perfect closure —
In 1997 Muster returned to Key Biscayne in Florida, the scene of his accident, and beat two-time French Open champion Sergi Bruguera of Spain in the final.
Although 40 of his 44 ATP Tour titles came on clay, Muster was also an accomplished hard-court player. He twice reached the semifinals of the Australian Open, losing to Pete Sampras in 1997, and on three occasions made the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open.
Hard to beat —
Although 40 of his 44 ATP Tour titles came on clay, Muster was also an accomplished hard-court player. He twice reached the semifinals of the Australian Open, losing to Pete Sampras in 1997, and on three occasions made the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open.
However, he was not so successful on grass. In fact, Muster is the only top-ranked singles player of the post-1968 Open Era to never win a match at Wimbledon.
tennis muster loses —
However, he was not so successful on grass. In fact, Muster is the only top-ranked singles player of the post-1968 Open Era to never win a match at Wimbledon.
Muster stopped playing in 1999, but returned in 2010 playing second-tier Challenger tour events and exhibitions such as this match with former women's pin-up Anna Kournikova.
Back on tour —
Muster stopped playing in 1999, but returned in 2010 playing second-tier Challenger tour events and exhibitions such as this match with former women's pin-up Anna Kournikova.