Galo Blanco
Galo Blanco (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈɡalo ˈβlaŋko];[lower-alpha 1] born 8 October 1976) is a retired professional tennis player from Oviedo, Spain. After many years as a professional tennis coach Blanco joined the Davis Cup steering committee in 2018.
| Country (sports) |  |
|---|---|
| Residence | Barcelona, Spain |
| Born | 8 October 1976 Oviedo, Spain |
| Height | 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) |
| Turned pro | 1995 |
| Retired | 2006 |
| Plays | Right-handed (one-handed backhand) |
| Prize money | $1,832,691 |
| Singles | |
| Career record | 122–175 |
| Career titles | 1 |
| Highest ranking | No. 40 (25 May 1998) |
| Grand Slam Singles results | |
| Australian Open | 2R (2004) |
| French Open | QF (1997) |
| Wimbledon | 2R (1999) |
| US Open | 2R (1999, 2000) |
| Doubles | |
| Career record | 3–15 |
| Career titles | 0 |
| Highest ranking | No. 338 (8 March 2004) |
| Grand Slam Doubles results | |
| Australian Open | 1R (2004) |
| Career record | 122–175 |
|---|---|
| Career record | 3–15 |
| Coaching career (2006–) | |
| |
| Coaching achievements | |
| Coachee Singles Titles total | 4 (Raonic), 1 (Melzer), 1 (Khachanov) |
| Coachee(s) Doubles Titles total | 1 (Melzer) |
| List of notable tournaments (with champion)
| |
Tennis career (player and coach)
Most of Blanco's early professional tour appearances were earned by qualifying for tournaments. He would do so by winning the qualifier's rounds that are usually played before the tournaments themselves, to fill one last tournament spot. It was that way that he was able to participate at the Fairmonts tournament in Scottsdale, Arizona, U.S. in 1996, for example.
Blanco eventually began to be invited to tournaments, and his name has gained reasonable importance in the men's professional circuit. He came closest to winning a Grand Slam title in 1997, reaching the quarterfinals of the French Open by defeating Neville Godwin, Magnus Gustafsson, Chris Woodruff and Petr Korda before losing to Pat Rafter. He won his only title in 1999 San Marino GO&FUN Open to his countryman Albert Portas and reached the final (2001 Mexican Open) and the semifinals in 2000 Majorca Open losing to eventual champion Marat Safin.
Blanco had two high-profile wins in majors, beating former 2-time US Open Champion, Patrick Rafter, in the first round of the 2000 US Open, and in beating Pete Sampras in the second round of the 2001 French Open.
Blanco lost in the second round of the 2004 Australian Open. He announced his retirement after the 2006 Torneo Godó.[1]
Blanco is a prominent tennis coach. He has previously coached the rising Canadian star Milos Raonic. This partnership ended in May 2013. He coached Canadian Filip Peliwo.[2] He coached Karen Khachanov until November 2017.[3] He is now currently coaching Dominic Thiem.
ATP World Tour: 2 (1–1)
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|
|
| Outcome | No. | Date | Tournament | Surface | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winner | 1. | 15 August 1999 | San Marino, San Marino | Clay | |
4–6, 6–4, 6–3 |
| Runner-up | 2. | 4 March 2001 | Acapulco, Mexico | Clay |  |
4–6, 2–6 |
Wins over top 10 ranked players
| Season | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | Total |
| Wins | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 |
Wins Over Top 10s Per Season
| # | Player | Rank | Event | Surface | Rd | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | ||||||
| 1. | |
10 | Stuttgart, Germany | Clay | 2R | 4–6, 7–6(7–3), 7–5 |
| 2. | |
4 | Kitzbühel, Austria | Clay | 3R | 7–6(7–4), 7–5 |
| 2001 | ||||||
| 3. | |
9 | Monte-Carlo, Monaco | Clay | 2R | 6–2, 7–6(7–3) |
| 4. |  |
5 | French Open, Paris, France | Clay | 2R | 7–6(7–4), 6–3, 6–2 |
Notes
- In isolation, Blanco is pronounced [ˈblaŋko].
References
- "http://www.galoblancotennisacademy.com – His academy in Barcelona, Spain – Official website, Galo Blanco Tennis Academy Archived 2009-10-03 at the Wayback Machine
- "Filip Peliwo to be coached by Galo Blanco". Tennis Canada. Retrieved October 24, 2013.
- Rising stars of tennis - Karen Khachanov: 'The next Marat Safin? I have my own character and charisma'
External links
- Galo Blanco at the Association of Tennis Professionals
- Galo Blanco at the Association of Tennis Professionals Coach profile
- Galo Blanco at the International Tennis Federation