Martín Jaite

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Martín Jaite (born October 9, 1964, in Buenos Aires) is an Argentine former professional tour tennis player.

His highest tour ranking was World # 10, which he achieved in the summer of 1990.

1 Tennis career
- 1.1 Olympics
- 1.2 Playing style
2 External links

[edit] Tennis career

While moving back and forth between Barcelona and Argentina as a child, Jaite was a top junior in both countries. He won the Spanish National championships, and was offered a try-out on the Argentine Davis Cup team, but declined at first because he didn't want to offend Spain. He finally joined the team, but lost to Jimmy Connors when the Argentinians faced the United States.

In 1983, Jaite joined the ATP tour and quickly moved up the world rankings; from No. 826 in 1982 to No. 156 in 1983 to No. 54 in 1984. The following year, he won his first ATP tour title and was ranked in the world's top 20, where he remained for the next few years.

In 1985, Jaite also reached the quarterfinals of the French Open, his best Grand Slam finish.

Jaite became only the sixth South American to be ranked in the top 10 in the ATP computer rankings, reaching No. 10 in 1990.

Jaite won 12 tour singles events during his career, posting a record of 301 wins against 179 losses.

A 1.70 m, 70 kg (5 ft 10 in, 155 lb) right-hander, won $1,873,881 in tour prize money for his career.

[edit] Olympics

He participated for his native country at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, but lost to Brad Gilbert, the eventual bronze medal winner.

[edit] Playing style

While Jaite did not have a power stroke, he made up for it with his speed. His best surface was clay, which allowed him to hit the ball far to either side of the court; Jaite's best shot was the topspin backhand, which he used used to return service.