Santiago Ventura

Santiago Ventura is a retired professional tennis player from Spain, known for being a clay-court specialist and for his effective use of drop shots. He achieved a career-high singles ranking of World No. 65 and a doubles ranking of World No. 37.

He won one singles and five doubles titles on the ATP Tour and was the first player to be defeated by Andy Murray on the tour.

Player Profile

Santiago Ventura Bertomeu was born on January 5, 1980, in Castellón, Spain. He stands 183 cm tall and he plays right-handed with a two-handed backhand. He currently resides in Burriana, Spain.

Professional Career

Ventura turned professional in 2001. He was a clay-court specialist whose game was known for his considerable use of drop shots. He achieved a career-high singles ranking of World No. 65 in March 2008 and won one singles title on the ATP Tour.

In doubles, he was more successful, winning five titles and achieving a career-high ranking of World No. 37 in July 2008. His best Grand Slam doubles result was reaching the quarterfinals of the Wimbledon Championships in 2008.

Ventura holds a small but notable place in tennis history as the first player ever to be defeated by Andy Murray on the ATP Tour, in the first round of the Aegon Championships in 2005. He retired from professional tennis in 2011.

Career Record

Singles

• Career record: 38–59
• Career titles: 1
• Highest ranking: No. 65 (March 3, 2008)

Best Grand Slam Singles Performances

• Australian Open – 2R (2005)
• French Open – 1R (2005, 2008, 2009, 2010)
• Wimbledon – 1R (2005, 2008, 2010)
• US Open – 1R (2008)

Doubles

• Career record: 43–40
• Career titles: 5
• Highest ranking: No. 37 (July 7, 2008)

Best Grand Slam Doubles Performances

• Australian Open – 2R (2008)
• French Open – 3R (2010)
• Wimbledon – QF (2008)
• US Open – 2R (2010)