Mikael Pernfors
Encyclopedia
Mikael Pernfors is a former professional tennis
player from Sweden. He is best remembered for reaching the men's singles final at the French Open in 1986.
.
Although he played a topspin-heavy baseline game with a double-handed backhand, unlike his countrymen Björn Borg
and Mats Wilander
, Pernfors lacked their consistency and relied on a crowd-pleasing game full of variety, liberally employing the drop shot and the topspin lob.
Before turning professional, Pernfors played tennis for the University of Georgia
in the United States and became the first player since Dennis Ralston
two decades earlier to win back-to-back NCAA
singles titles in 1984 and 1985.
In 1986 Pernfors reached his first (and only) Grand Slam
singles final at the French Open. He defeated Boris Becker
in the quarter-finals and Henri Leconte
in the semi-finals. In the final he lost in straight sets to World No. 1 Ivan Lendl
6–3, 6–2, 6–4.
Pernfors played for Sweden in the final of the Davis Cup
in 1986. He won one singles rubber against Paul McNamee
in straight sets and lost the other to Pat Cash
in five sets – after winning the first two – as Australia beat Sweden 3–2. The following year at Wimbledon he again lost a two-set lead, falling to Jimmy Connors
1–6, 1–6, 7–5, 6–4, 6–2 after having led 6–1, 6–1, 4–1, and afterwards 3-0 in the fourth set. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/wimbledon_history/3742093.stm
In 1988, Pernfors won his first top-level singles title at Los Angeles, California
, defeating Andre Agassi
in the final. His second came just a month later in Scottsdale, Arizona
.
In the fourth round of the Australian Open
in 1990, Pernfors faced John McEnroe
during an infamous match in which McEnroe became the first player to be disqualified under a new Code of Conduct that had recently been introduced in tennis. McEnroe was apparently unaware that under the new rules three code violations would result in disqualification (instead of the previous four), and Pernfors won the match by default after McEnroe attempted to intimidate a lineswoman, smashed a racket, and then verbally abused the umpire. Pernfors lost in the next round, the quarterfinals.
Injuries limited Pernfors' performances on the tour in the first few years of the 1990s. He came back strongly in 1993 to win the most significant title of his career at the Canadian Open
(part of the Tennis Masters Series), where he defeated Todd Martin
in the final 2–6, 6–2, 7–5. A few weeks later he pushed Wilander to five sets in the second round of the U.S. Open, falling 7–6, 3–6, 1–6, 7–6, 6–4.
Pernfors was the recipient of the ATP
Tour's Most Improved Player award in 1986, and its Comeback Player of the Year award in 1993.
Pernfors retired from the professional tour in 1996 after a career in which he won three top-level singles and one doubles title. His career-high singles ranking was World No. 10 in 1986. His career prize-money earnings totalled US$1,363,793. In addition to Becker, Agassi, McEnroe and Martin, Pernfors holds victories over Wilander, Pete Sampras
, Stefan Edberg
, Jim Courier
, Thomas Muster
, Sergi Bruguera
and Michael Stich
.
Since retiring from the tour, Pernfors has been a regular competitor in seniors events.
Runner-ups (2)
Runner-ups (2)
Tennis
Tennis is a sport usually played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a racket that is strung to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all...
player from Sweden. He is best remembered for reaching the men's singles final at the French Open in 1986.
Career
Pernfors was born in MalmöMalmö
Malmö , in the southernmost province of Scania, is the third most populous city in Sweden, after Stockholm and Gothenburg.Malmö is the seat of Malmö Municipality and the capital of Skåne County...
.
Although he played a topspin-heavy baseline game with a double-handed backhand, unlike his countrymen Björn Borg
Björn Borg
Björn Rune Borg is a former world no. 1 tennis player from Sweden. Between 1974 and 1981 he won 11 Grand Slam singles titles. He won five consecutive Wimbledon singles titles and six French Open singles titles...
and Mats Wilander
Mats Wilander
Mats Wilander is a former World No. 1 tennis player from Sweden. From 1982 through 1988, he won seven Grand Slam singles titles , and one Grand Slam men's doubles title...
, Pernfors lacked their consistency and relied on a crowd-pleasing game full of variety, liberally employing the drop shot and the topspin lob.
Before turning professional, Pernfors played tennis for the University of Georgia
University of Georgia
The University of Georgia is a public research university located in Athens, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1785, it is the oldest and largest of the state's institutions of higher learning and is one of multiple schools to claim the title of the oldest public university in the United States...
in the United States and became the first player since Dennis Ralston
Dennis Ralston
Richard Dennis Ralston is an American former professional tennis player. He attended the University of Southern California and won NCAA championships under their legendary coach, George Toley. He was coached in his earlier years by the legendary tennis player, Pancho Gonzales...
two decades earlier to win back-to-back NCAA
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
singles titles in 1984 and 1985.
In 1986 Pernfors reached his first (and only) Grand Slam
Grand Slam (tennis)
The four Major tennis tournaments, also called the Slams, are the most important tennis events of the year in terms of world tour ranking points, tradition, prize-money awarded, strength and size of player field, and public attention. They are the Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon, and...
singles final at the French Open. He defeated Boris Becker
Boris Becker
Boris Franz Becker is a former World No. 1 professional tennis player from Germany. He is a six-time Grand Slam singles champion, an Olympic gold medalist, and the youngest-ever winner of the men's singles title at Wimbledon at the age of 17...
in the quarter-finals and Henri Leconte
Henri Leconte
Henri Leconte is a former French professional tennis player. He reached the men's singles final at the French Open in 1988, won the French Open men's doubles title in 1984, and helped France win the Davis Cup in 1991.-Biography and career:...
in the semi-finals. In the final he lost in straight sets to World No. 1 Ivan Lendl
Ivan Lendl
Ivan Lendl is a former world no. 1 professional tennis player. Originally from Czechoslovakia, Lendl became a United States citizen. He was one of the game's most dominant players in the 1980s and remained a top competitor into the early 1990s. He is considered to be one of the greatest tennis...
6–3, 6–2, 6–4.
Pernfors played for Sweden in the final of the Davis Cup
Davis Cup
The Davis Cup is the premier international team event in men's tennis. It is run by the International Tennis Federation and is contested between teams of players from competing countries in a knock-out format. The competition began in 1900 as a challenge between Britain and the United States. By...
in 1986. He won one singles rubber against Paul McNamee
Paul McNamee
Paul McNamee is a retired Australian tennis player and prominent sports administrator.-Tennis career:...
in straight sets and lost the other to Pat Cash
Pat Cash
Patrick Hart "Pat" Cash is a retired Australian professional tennis player who won the men's singles title at Wimbledon in 1987.-Early career:...
in five sets – after winning the first two – as Australia beat Sweden 3–2. The following year at Wimbledon he again lost a two-set lead, falling to Jimmy Connors
Jimmy Connors
James Scott "Jimmy" Connors is an American former world no. 1 tennis player....
1–6, 1–6, 7–5, 6–4, 6–2 after having led 6–1, 6–1, 4–1, and afterwards 3-0 in the fourth set. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/wimbledon_history/3742093.stm
In 1988, Pernfors won his first top-level singles title at Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
, defeating Andre Agassi
Andre Agassi
Andre Kirk Agassi is a retired American professional tennis player and former world no. 1. Generally considered by critics and fellow players to be one of the greatest tennis players of all time, Agassi has been called the best service returner in the history of the game...
in the final. His second came just a month later in Scottsdale, Arizona
Scottsdale, Arizona
Scottsdale is a city in the eastern part of Maricopa County, Arizona, United States, adjacent to Phoenix. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, as of 2010 the population of the city was 217,385...
.
In the fourth round of the Australian Open
Australian Open
The Australian Open is the only Grand Slam tennis tournament held in the southern hemisphere. The tournament was held for the first time in 1905 and was last contested on grass in 1987. Since 1972 the Australian Open has been held in Melbourne, Victoria. In 1988, the tournament became a hard court...
in 1990, Pernfors faced John McEnroe
John McEnroe
John Patrick McEnroe, Jr. is a former world no. 1 professional tennis player from the United States. During his career, he won seven Grand Slam singles titles , nine Grand Slam men's doubles titles, and one Grand Slam mixed doubles title...
during an infamous match in which McEnroe became the first player to be disqualified under a new Code of Conduct that had recently been introduced in tennis. McEnroe was apparently unaware that under the new rules three code violations would result in disqualification (instead of the previous four), and Pernfors won the match by default after McEnroe attempted to intimidate a lineswoman, smashed a racket, and then verbally abused the umpire. Pernfors lost in the next round, the quarterfinals.
Injuries limited Pernfors' performances on the tour in the first few years of the 1990s. He came back strongly in 1993 to win the most significant title of his career at the Canadian Open
Canada Masters
The Canada Masters , currently sponsored as the Rogers Cup, is an annual tennis tournament held in Canada. The men's competition is a Masters 1000 event on the Association of Tennis Professionals tour. The women's competition is a Premier 5 tournament on the Women's Tennis Association tour...
(part of the Tennis Masters Series), where he defeated Todd Martin
Todd Martin
----Todd Christopher Martin is a former professional tennis player from the United States.-Playing career:...
in the final 2–6, 6–2, 7–5. A few weeks later he pushed Wilander to five sets in the second round of the U.S. Open, falling 7–6, 3–6, 1–6, 7–6, 6–4.
Pernfors was the recipient of the ATP
Association of Tennis Professionals
The Association of Tennis Professionals or ATP was formed in 1972 by Donald Dell, Jack Kramer, and Cliff Drysdale to protect the interests of male professional tennis players. Since 1990, the association has organized the worldwide tennis tour for men and linked the title of the tour with the...
Tour's Most Improved Player award in 1986, and its Comeback Player of the Year award in 1993.
Pernfors retired from the professional tour in 1996 after a career in which he won three top-level singles and one doubles title. His career-high singles ranking was World No. 10 in 1986. His career prize-money earnings totalled US$1,363,793. In addition to Becker, Agassi, McEnroe and Martin, Pernfors holds victories over Wilander, Pete Sampras
Pete Sampras
Pete Sampras is a retired American tennis player and former world no. 1. During his 15-year tour career, he won 14 Grand Slam singles titles and became recognized as one of the greatest tennis players of all time....
, Stefan Edberg
Stefan Edberg
Stefan Bengt Edberg is a former World No. 1 professional tennis player from Sweden. A major proponent of the serve-and-volley style of tennis, he won six Grand Slam singles titles and three Grand Slam men's doubles titles. He also won one season ending championship title the Masters Grand Prix...
, Jim Courier
Jim Courier
James Spencer "Jim" Courier, Jr. is a former world no. 1 professional tennis player from the United States. During his career, he won four Grand Slam singles titles, two at the French Open and two at the Australian Open...
, Thomas Muster
Thomas Muster
Thomas Muster is a former world no. 1 tennis player from Austria. One of the world's leading clay court players in the 1990s, Muster won the 1995 French Open and at his peak was known as "The King of Clay." In addition, he won eight Masters 1000 series titles, placing him sixth on the all-time list...
, Sergi Bruguera
Sergi Bruguera
Sergi Bruguera i Torner is a former professional tennis player from Spain. He is best remembered for winning consecutive men's singles titles at the French Open in 1993 and 1994.-Career:...
and Michael Stich
Michael Stich
Michael Detlef Stich is a former professional tennis player from Germany. He is best remembered for winning the men's singles title at Wimbledon in 1991...
.
Since retiring from the tour, Pernfors has been a regular competitor in seniors events.
Singles: 1 (0-1)
| Outcome | Year | Championship | Surface | Opponent in the final | Score in the final |
| Runner-up | 1986 1986 French Open - Men's Singles Ivan Lendl defeated Mikael Pernfors 6-3 6-2 6-4 in the final to win the Men's Singles title at the 1986 French Open. See also:# Ivan Lendl # Mats Wilander # Boris Becker ... |
French Open | Clay |  Ivan LendlIvan Lendl Ivan Lendl is a former world no. 1 professional tennis player. Originally from Czechoslovakia, Lendl became a United States citizen. He was one of the game's most dominant players in the 1980s and remained a top competitor into the early 1990s. He is considered to be one of the greatest tennis... |
6–3, 6–2, 6–4 |
Singles: 1 (1-0)
| Outcome | Year | Championship | Surface | Opponent in the final | Score in the final |
| Winner | 1993 | Canada (Montreal) Canada Masters The Canada Masters , currently sponsored as the Rogers Cup, is an annual tennis tournament held in Canada. The men's competition is a Masters 1000 event on the Association of Tennis Professionals tour. The women's competition is a Premier 5 tournament on the Women's Tennis Association tour... |
Hard |  Todd MartinTodd Martin ----Todd Christopher Martin is a former professional tennis player from the United States.-Playing career:... |
2–6, 6–2, 7–5 |
Singles: 5 (3-2)
Wins (3)| Legend |
| Grand Slam (0) |
| Tennis Masters Cup (0) |
| ATP Masters Series (1) |
| ATP Tour (2) |
| No. | Date | Tournament | Surface | Opponent in the final | Score in the final |
| 1. | 19 September 1988 | Los Angeles, USA | Hard | Andre Agassi Andre Agassi Andre Kirk Agassi is a retired American professional tennis player and former world no. 1. Generally considered by critics and fellow players to be one of the greatest tennis players of all time, Agassi has been called the best service returner in the history of the game... |
6–2, 7–5 |
| 2. | 3 October 1988 | Scottsdale Tennis Channel Open The Tennis Channel Open was a tennis tournament on the ATP International Series which was held for the first time in Las Vegas, Nevada from February 27 to March 5, 2006. In the men's singles final, James Blake defeated Lleyton Hewitt 7–5, 2–6, 6–3... , USA |
Hard | Glenn Layendecker Glenn Layendecker Glenn Layendecker is a former professional tennis player from the United States. His highest singles ranking was World No. 48 in 1990. His highest doubles ranking was World No. 32.... |
6–2, 6–4 |
| 3. | 28 February 1993 | Montreal Canada Masters The Canada Masters , currently sponsored as the Rogers Cup, is an annual tennis tournament held in Canada. The men's competition is a Masters 1000 event on the Association of Tennis Professionals tour. The women's competition is a Premier 5 tournament on the Women's Tennis Association tour... , Canada |
Hard | Todd Martin Todd Martin ----Todd Christopher Martin is a former professional tennis player from the United States.-Playing career:... |
2–6, 6–2, 7–5 |
Runner-ups (2)
| No. | Date | Tournament | Surface | Opponent in the final | Score in the final |
| 1. | 26 May 1986 | French Open, Paris, France | Clay | Ivan Lendl Ivan Lendl Ivan Lendl is a former world no. 1 professional tennis player. Originally from Czechoslovakia, Lendl became a United States citizen. He was one of the game's most dominant players in the 1980s and remained a top competitor into the early 1990s. He is considered to be one of the greatest tennis... |
6–3, 6–2, 6–4 |
| 2. | 15 February 1988 | Memphis Regions Morgan Keegan Championships and the Cellular South Cup The Regions Morgan Keegan Championships and the Cellular South Cup are tennis tournaments held in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. The Regions Morgan Keegan Championships is a men's ATP Tour event that has been held since 1976. In previous years it has been known as the U.S. Indoor Championships, the... , USA |
Hard (i) | Andre Agassi Andre Agassi Andre Kirk Agassi is a retired American professional tennis player and former world no. 1. Generally considered by critics and fellow players to be one of the greatest tennis players of all time, Agassi has been called the best service returner in the history of the game... |
6–4, 6–4, 7–5 |
Doubles: 3 (1-2)
Wins (1)| Legend (Doubles) |
|---|
| Grand Slam Title (0) |
| Tennis Masters Cup (0) |
| ATP Masters Series (0) |
| ATP Tour (1) |
| No. | Date | Tournament | Surface | Partner | Opponent in the final | Score in the final |
| 1. | 8 May 1989 | Charleston U.S. Men's Clay Court Championships The U.S. Men's Clay Court Championship is an annual ATP Tour tennis tournament that started in 1910. It is the last remaining ATP Tour-level tournament in the United States to be played on clay courts.... , USA |
Clay |  Tobias SvantessonTobias Svantesson Tobias Svantesson , is a former professional tennis player from Sweden. He enjoyed most of his tennis success while playing doubles. During his career he won 2 doubles titles. He achieved a career-high doubles ranking of World No. 65 in 1991.-Doubles titles :-Runner-ups :-External links:... |
 Agustín MorenoAgustin Moreno Agustín Moreno is a former tennis player from Mexico.Moreno represented his native country at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, where he was defeated in the second round by Sweden's Stefan Edberg. The right-hander reached his highest singles ATP-ranking on July 18, 1988, when he became the number...  Jaime YzagaJaime Yzaga Jaime Yzaga Tori is a former professional tennis player from Peru.Yzaga played on the professional tour from 1984 to 1996.... |
6–4, 4–6, 7–5 |
Runner-ups (2)
| No. | Date | Tournament | Surface | Partner | Opponent in the final | Score in the final |
| 1. | 13 July 1987 | Stuttgart Mercedes Cup The Mercedes Cup is an ATP World Tour 250 series tennis tournament on the ATP Tour. Held since 1916 in Stuttgart, Germany, the Mercedes Cup is played on clay courts... , Germany |
Clay | Magnus Tideman Magnus Tideman Magnus Tideman , is a former professional tennis player from Sweden. He enjoyed most of his tennis success while playing doubles. During his career he won 1 doubles title. He achieved a career-high doubles ranking of World No. 43 in 1988.After retiring from tennis he became a tennis coach... |
Rick Leach Rick Leach ----Rick Leach is a former professional tennis player and a coach from the United States. A doubles specialist, he won 5 Grand Slam men's doubles titles , and 4 Grand Slam mixed doubles titles . Leach reached the World No... Tim PawsatTim Pawsat Tim Pawsat , is a former professional tennis player from the United States.Pawsat enjoyed most of his tennis success while playing doubles. During his career he won 5 doubles titles and finished runner-up an additional 3 times. He achieved a career-high doubles ranking of World No... |
6–3, 6–4 |
| 2. | 15 February 1988 | Memphis Regions Morgan Keegan Championships and the Cellular South Cup The Regions Morgan Keegan Championships and the Cellular South Cup are tennis tournaments held in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. The Regions Morgan Keegan Championships is a men's ATP Tour event that has been held since 1976. In previous years it has been known as the U.S. Indoor Championships, the... , USA |
Hard (i) | Peter Lundgren Peter Lundgren Peter Lundgren in Gudmundrå, Sweden) is a former professional male tennis player and tennis coach from Sweden. He preferred playing indoors, hardcourt and on grass to clay.-Playing career:... |
Kevin Curren Kevin Curren ----Kevin Melvyn Curren is a former professional tennis player. He played in two Grand Slam singles finals and won four Grand Slam doubles titles.-Career:... David PateDavid Pate David Pate is a former professional tennis player from the United States who won two singles titles and eighteen doubles titles during his career. He reached a career-high singles ranking of No. 18 on June 8, 1987 and a career-high doubles ranking of No... |
6–2, 6–2 |