Tennis Legends - Amelie Mauresmo: Only French player to be official world number one

Monday, 15 June 2026 at 17:30

Amélie Mauresmo remains the only French player to be officially ranked world number one in singles. Her spell at the top was a milestone in a career that yielded major success at the Australian Open and Wimbledon.

Born on the 5th of July 1979 in a French commune called Saint-Germain-en-Laye, to parents mother Francoise and father Francis, an engineer, who passed away in 2004. Her brother Fabien is also an engineer.

Mauresmo took up tennis aged four after being inspired by Yannick Noah home success at the 1983 French Open.

Mauresmo’s junior career was stellar, claiming both the junior French and Wimbledon titles in 1996. The International Tennis Federation awarded Mauresmo the status of Junior World Champion.

Steady early progress before a huge breakout run at the 1999 Australian Open

First playing in the main draw of a singles Grand Slam in 1995, Mauresmo made gradual progress in the 1997 season, her first after a multitude of junior triumphs in 1996.

She played her first WTA final at the Berlin Open on clay in May 1998, losing to Spain's Conchita Martinez. The Frenchwoman lifted from 109 in the world rankings, at the end of 1997, to number 29 by the close of 1998.

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The 1999 season witnessed Mauresmo enjoy a breakout run at a major. She'd previously not been further than round three at a Grand Slam until making progress to the final of 1999 Australian Open. Mauresmo navigated her way into the title match after a three-set semi-final win over Lindsay Davenport.

Waiting for her in the final was defending champion Martina Hinigis. The Swiss beat Mauresmo in the final 6-2, 6-3.

A trophy lift in Bratislava gave Mauresmo a second WTA title and helped her finish inside the world's top ten for the first time.

Initial dip in 2000 before four titles in 2001

Mauresmo was unable to add a title to her collection in 2000. Losses in the Bol Open and Italian Open were her best showings this term. A fourth round loss at the French Open represented her best run in the majors. Mauresmo dropped six places from the previous year to 16 by the season's climax.

The following season developed into Mauresmo’s best to date. She accumulated four titles across the 2001 season. This haul included a Tier 1 success at the Berlin Open.

The last eight in New York at the US Open was her first Grand Slam quarter-final in over two and half years. Mauresmo finished the campaign ranked nine.

2002-2005: A regular fixture in the top ten and frequently reaching the latter stages of Grand Slams

Two more titles were pocketed by Mauresmo in the 2002 season. Trophy lifts at the Dubai Championships and the Canadian Open, her biggest title to date, consolidated her status as one of the game's elite. Back-to-back semis at Wimbledon and the US Open only further reinforced her stature now as one of the main contenders.

The 2003 season yielded titles in the Warsaw Open and Philadelphia Championships. A further quartet of runner-up appearances, including at the WTA Finals, helped elevate Mauresmo into the season-end top five for the first time.

Mauresmo lifted a career high five titles in a 2004 season that saw her finish the year ranked as world number two. The clay court season was particularly successful with prestige triumphs in Berlin and Rome. A second Canadian Open was added in August.

Amelie Mauresmo is now Tournament Director at Roland Garros.

The 2004 season featured Mauresmo securing a silver medal at the Olympics in Athens, losing the final to Justine Henin of Belgium.

She also made at least the quarters in every major, including a run to the last four at Wimbledon. Mauresmo first reached world number one this year, if only for five weeks. She remains the only French player to be ranked as a singles world number one.

Four titles were amassed in a 2005 season that was highlighted by triumphing at the WTA Finals. This acted as Mauresmo’s most significant title to date.

Another semi-final appearance at Wimbledon was the furthest she went in the 2005 majors. She went into 2006 with the target of a first major title, the next logical step in her career progression.

Mauresmo ends her major wait in Melbourne and then backs it up at Wimbledon in golden year

The 2006 season defined Mauresmo's career. After much chatter about her being one of the best never to win a Grand Slam, two major triumphs materialised in one year.

Maiden Slam glory came at the Australian Open. The success was slightly marred by her glory being facilitated via three opponents forced to retire hurt, including Belgians Kim Clijsters in the semis and then Henin in the final. Mauresmo was leading the title match 6-1, 2-0 when Henin withdrew with stomach cramps. Henin is the only woman to retire in a Grand Slam singles final in the Open Era.

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Mauresmo didn't allow the unsatisfactory conclusion to affect her enjoyment. After the match she said, “It would have been probably different if the match went to the end but the joy is here. I've been waiting so long for this and really worked hard for this, it's a really great achievement. I'm probably the proudest woman now,"

Despite this genuine outpouring of pride and joy, it felt appropriate that later in the year Mauresmo defeated Henin in a three-set Wimbledon final to win a Slam without any potential asterisks being attached. The fact it was the same opponent only added to the sense of completion.

Two additional titles in 2006 were bagged and she lost the final at the WTA Finals. A season-end ranking of three meant she'd finished in the top ten for the last six seasons.

After annus mirabilis, Mauresmo begins to decline and retires in 2009

Reaching the summit in 2006, including another spell as world number one, increased the expectation on Mauresmo. These major triumphs also lifted a huge burden on her. Whether through losing intensity after finally achieving her goals, or struggling with her new found status, Mauresmo suffered a decline in the 2007 season.

One title was the sum of her efforts this year. She eventually dropped out of the top ten and failed to reach even a quarter-final of a Grand Slam.

The 2008 season witnessed Mauresmo draw a title blank and continue exiting majors early. She ended the season outside the world’s top twenty.

2009 turned out to be her final campaign. One more title was added at the Open Gaz de France. She would end the season ranked 21 and then a few weeks later announced her retirement. Mauresmo finished with 25 WTA titles from 48 finals. She enjoyed 39 weeks as world number one.

Fed Cup winner and three doubles titles

Mauresmo acted as the playing spearhead of France’s Fed Cup team for a number of years. She played a key role in their 2003 triumph, winning both singles rubbers in a 4-1 final win over the USA, played in Moscow.

She holds the French record for singles wins in what is now the Billie Jean King Cup. Her final win/loss record was 30-9.

Mauresmo held the French captaincy for four years. They reached the final in 2016 but lost to the Czech Republic. She then resigned after becoming pregnant.

Doubles was a discipline in which Mauresmo secured three titles. She lifted one alongside Chanda Rubin and the last two partnering Svetlana Kuznetsova. Playing with Kuznetsova, they reached the Wimbledon final in 2005.

Coaching career including high profile relationship with Andy Murray

Mauresmo quickly switched to coaching after ending her playing career. Her first client was compatriot Michael Llodra.

She then joined the team of then world number one Victoria Azarenka in 2012. It proved to be a short arrangement.

The following year Mauresmo linked up with fellow French star Marion Bartoli who was experiencing a slump in form. In her greatest coaching achievement, Mauresmo helped restore confidence to Bartoli who went on to claim glory at the 2013 Wimbledon Championships.

Then, in 2014, Mauresmo was revealed as the new coach of Andy Murray. This alliance caused much publicity as never previously had such a leading male player been coached by a woman before. It remains oddly rare but Murray was always a huge advocate of women in sport. Their spell together did see Murray win Masters 1000 events but not a Grand Slam.

Mauresmo was appointed France Davis Cup Captain in 2018 but quickly reversed the decision to coach Frenchman Lucas Pouille for the 2019 season. This is currently her most recent coaching engagement.

Amelie Mauresmo in her pomp.

Current French Open Tournament Director

In December 2021, Mauresmo was appointed as the first woman to hold the role of Tournament Director at the French Open.

Her tenure so far has been successful in regards to attendances and viewing figures but has been criticised for her handling of night sessions and prize money.

The designated night session game, which airs on pay TV in France, has been heavily populated by male players. Since the slot began in 2021, only five matches in just over sixty contests have been women's matches. There wasn't a single women's contest in 2024 and 2025. Mauresmo has often fallen back on the greater length of a men's match. An argument that can be countered by placing two women's matches in the slot.

A row afflicting all the majors over prize money has been a recurring topic at this year's edition. The players believe their percentage of the tournament’s revenue is not fair given they're the stars.

Personal life and legacy

Mauresmo came out as gay at the 1999 Australian Open. She eventually married in 2021 to Marie-Benedicte Hurley in 2021. They divorced two years later amidst accusations by Mauresmo over harassment. Hurle was convicted of moral harassment in 2024.

Two children were born to Mauresmo. She had son Aaron in 2015 and daughter Ayla in 2017. She's currently in another relationship but keeps the identity of her current partner secret.

Mauresmo was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2015.

Her game was based around powerful baseline hitting but she possessed a great amount of variety. Her volleying was sharp and her slice a penetrative weapon. This is a big factor in her strong record at Wimbledon.

Mauresmo is arguably the greatest French female player since Suzanne Lenglen. Francoise Durr won more singles titles but in a less competitive era and just the one major. While Mary Pierce won two Grand Slams but never reached number one or had the consistency Mauresmo boasted at the top level.

Jay Brannon

I’m a sports journalist from Sutton Coldfield, England, with a lifelong love for sport and storytelling. My earliest memory of tennis is the 1991 Wimbledon final between Michael Stich and Boris Becker — the match that first sparked my fascination with competition and the emotion behind great sporting moments.

I currently work with BHBN Hospital Radio as a sports reporter, covering matches involving West Bromwich Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers, delivering live updates and analysis to listeners. I’ve also worked as a match reporter for Sutton Coldfield Town, gaining valuable insight into the heart of non-league football.

My favourite sports include football, snooker, tennis, athletics and cricket, and I’m a proud England and Manchester United fan. The athlete I admire most is Ronnie O’Sullivan for his genius and honesty.

I hold a degree in Music Journalism and Broadcasting from Staffordshire University, which helped shape my voice as a thoughtful, authentic storyteller.

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