Feliciano Lopez, the iron man of tennis, has competed in an astounding 71 straight Grand Slams.
His longevity in the ATP has also put the 38 year old in a dubious position – Lopez is one match from the record for most ATP losses which is now held by Fabrice Santoro.
Lopez lost to Gilles Simon yesterday in Basel, to tie Santoro at 444 ATP main tour losses. A loss at his next tournament, likely the Australian Open, will give Lopez the new record to add to his other professional credentials – seven ATP singles titles, a French Open doubles title, over $17,000,000 in prize money.
Currently ranked 57 in the world, Lopez has registered 485 ATP singles victories since turning pro in 1997.
Santoro, 46 years old, finished his career ten years ago with six ATP singles titles and a match record of 470-444.
Lopez and Santoro played once against each other, in Indian Wells in 2005. Santoro prevailed 64 62 in the round of 32.
Andrew Miller · October 24, 2019 at 11:36 pm
Santoro beat everyone!
Scoop Malinowski · October 25, 2019 at 5:31 am
I doubt Santoro beat Hewitt or Rios but he did whip Sampras once on clay in Monte Carlo 6160.
Andrew Miller · October 25, 2019 at 6:16 am
Santoro beat Rios once, Hewitt twice. 1-3 vs Rios (Rio’s beat him last three) and 2-3 vs Hewitt. Santoro beat everyone except the next gens.
Scoop Malinowski · October 25, 2019 at 8:40 am
I don’t think Santoro ever beat Agassi.
Andrew Miller · October 25, 2019 at 8:48 am
Santoro 3-3 vs Agassi. Santoro didn’t beat Lendl.
Scoop Malinowski · October 25, 2019 at 8:53 am
That is amazing that Santoro stymied even Agassi with his trickery. There had to be someone who solved the Santoro puzzle and I will find it 🙂
Doogie · October 25, 2019 at 6:28 pm
Here is one:
Davydenko – Santoro 6:0
Doogie · October 25, 2019 at 6:29 pm
Davy totally dominated Santoro – the 13 sets were mostly not even close (6:3 6:1, 6:4 6:1 and so on)
Scoop Malinowski · October 25, 2019 at 9:22 pm
Davydenko is a player who is never mentioned in that best player to never win a major debate. He may be the best. Good find Doogie, to dominate Santoro is something very very few players have done. Will check Nadal.