Thierry Champion
 | |
| Country (sports) |
 France |
|---|---|
| Residence | Paris, France |
| Born |
31 August 1966 Bagnols-sur-Cèze France |
| Height | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) |
| Turned pro | 1989 |
| Retired | 2004 |
| Plays | Right-handed (one-handed backhand) |
| Prize money | $1,255,229 |
| Singles | |
| Career record | 102–165 |
| Career titles | 0 |
| Highest ranking | No. 44 (26 August 1991) |
| Grand Slam Singles results | |
| Australian Open | 3R (1987) |
| French Open | QF (1990) |
| Wimbledon | QF (1991) |
| US Open | 2R (1986, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1992) |
| Doubles | |
| Career record | 15–38 |
| Career titles | 0 |
| Highest ranking | No. 135 (10 July 1989) |
Thierry Champion (born 31 August 1966) is a former professional tennis player from France.
Tennis career
Champion was born in Bagnols-sur-Cèze, Gard. During his career, he reached the quarter-finals at the French Open in 1990 and at Wimbledon in 1991.
A clay court specialist, Champion gained notoriety on the men's ATP tour as a wild card player with the ability to inflict defeat on seeded players well above his ranking. His play style was characterised by fast court coverage and strong baseline play with measured heavily spun passing shots, particularly from an unorthodox backhand stroke.
Reaching a career-high singles ranking of World No. 44 on the men's ATP rankings in 1991, subsequent years saw a dwindling career riddled with injury.
Champion is also remembered for being triple bageled in the 2nd round of the 1993 French Open by eventual winner Sergi Bruguera. That was two years after he double breadsticked himself against Pete Sampras.
Champion was the coach of French tennis player Gaël Monfils since September 2004 but they parted company in September 2006. He was also the coach of Hicham Arazi, Nicolas Escudé and Paul-Henri Mathieu. At the 2008 Wimbledon Championships he was seen to be coaching the previous year's semi-finalist and number 8 seed Richard Gasquet.