Martin Lee (tennis)
Martin Lee (born 13 January 1978) is an English former professional tennis player. Born in London, he resides in Maidenhead, Berkshire.
Country (sports) | United Kingdom |
---|---|
Residence | Maidenhead, England |
Born | London, England | 13 January 1978
Height | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) |
Turned pro | 1996 |
Retired | 2006 |
Plays | Left-handed (two-handed backhand) |
Coach | David Sammel |
Prize money | $561,085 |
Singles | |
Career record | 21–46 |
Career titles | 0 |
Highest ranking | No. 94 (11 March 2002) |
Grand Slam Singles results | |
Australian Open | 1R (2002) |
French Open | 1R (2002) |
Wimbledon | 2R (1997, 2000, 2001, 2006) |
US Open | 1R (2001) |
Doubles | |
Career record | 6–19 |
Career titles | 0 |
Highest ranking | No. 145 (30 Oct 2006) |
Grand Slam Doubles results | |
Wimbledon | 2R (2003, 2004) |
Tennis career
Lee was a promising junior, reaching No. 1 in the world junior rankings. In 1995 he won the Boys Doubles at Wimbledon. A left-hander, he turned pro in 1996. He struggled with constant knee and groin problems throughout his career, which eventually forced his retirement from the professional circuit in November 2006.[1]
Lee's best singles result on the ATP Tour was to reach the final of the Hall of Fame Championships in Newport, Rhode Island in 2001. On 11 March 2002, Lee achieved his career-high singles ranking of World No. 94, establishing himself as the British number three behind Tim Henman and Greg Rusedski. It was the first time in 23 years that Britain had three players in the Top 100. However, in November 2002 he underwent knee surgery and was out of action for 10 months, and his ranking never recovered.
Lee reached the second round of the men's singles at Wimbledon four times, in 1997, 2000, 2001 and 2006. He appeared in the US Open in 2001, and managed to take two sets off of seeded player Sjeng Schalken, however the Dutchman prevailed 6–3 in the deciding set. Lee's ranking also ensured automatic qualification for the main draw of the Australian and French Opens in 2002, but he lost in the first round on both occasions. Overall he won 21 and lost 46 ATP Tour matches.
Lee won two of his three matches for Great Britain in the Davis Cup, however these were only dead rubbers. Lee lost his only live match against Thailand's Paradorn Srichaphan in straight sets.
Career finals
Singles (1 runner-up)
Result | No. | Date | Tournament | Surface | Opponent | Score |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Loss | 1. | Jul 2001 | Newport, United States | Grass | Neville Godwin | 1–6, 4–6 |
References
- "Briton Lee announces retirement". BBC Sport. 20 November 2006. Retrieved 25 June 2008.