Zack Fleishman
Encyclopedia
Zachary Rodin "Zack" Fleishman (born March 17, 1980) is a right-handed professional tennis player from the United States.
In 1998, he became the highest ranked American junior in the world (at # 18 in the world rankings). He was the top-ranked player in Southern California
in boys 10, 12, 14, and 18s, and was listed No. 5 nationally in boys 14 and unders at age 13. He competed in numerous Junior Grand Slam events, including Wimbledon
, the French Open, and the US Open where he reached the quarterfinals.
Fleishman played one year of high school tennis at Crossroads School
in ninth grade for coach Martin Hershey. He went undefeated for that season, and won the Delphic League Championship.
At the age of 18, he played one season (1998–99) of collegiate tennis at the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA). That year Fleishman helped UCLA to the number 1 ranking in the country, and to the final of the National Collegiate Athletics Association championships. After one year of competing on the collegiate level, Fleishman opted to turn professional in 2000.
He has won seven professional singles titles (and numerous doubles titles) in his career, starting with back to back satellite wins in El Salvador
on hard court, followed by a win in Honduras
on red clay. Fleishman then won back-to-back titles again, this time in his native California, winning two futures events in Redding
and Chico
(he also won the doubles title). Later, he was able to establish himself on the challenger circuit, winning a US$25,000 event in Ecuador
on red clay and then a US$50,000 event in Vietnam
on hard court. This propelled his ranking to 11th in the United States and World # 127. In 2008, Zack added another professional tournament victory to his resume winning the Costa Mesa Tennis Futures.
event: the Australian Open
. He won three qualifying matches and then drew World No. 85 Dick Norman
of Belgium. Fleishman rallied from two sets down to force a fifth set. However, Fleishman was unable to capitalize on his momentum, and lost the fifth set and the match.
. This time, he defeated World # 26 Agustín Calleri
of Argentina
in the first round, before falling to Australian Wayne Arthurs in the second round. Fleishman had his hair dyed bright red, white, and blue for the occasion, to symbolise American national pride.
The same year, Fleishman won three matches and qualified at Wimbledon
, where he faced World No. 10 Tommy Haas
. On July 17, 2007, Fleishman achieved his first victory over a top-ten player, defeating World # 6 Fernando González
7–6 (5), 6–4, in the first round of the Los Angeles Tennis Center's Countrywide Classic. He proceeded to beat fellow American Robert Kendrick
7–6 (4), 6–3, in the second round, compiling his first ever back-to-back wins in an Association of Tennis Professionals
event. In the quarterfinals, however, Fleishman fell to the eventual tournament champion Radek Štěpánek
, 6–4, 6–2.
in the finals, 4–6, 6–4, 7–6 (5). He and McClune partnered to win the doubles in the tournament, dropping only one set along the way.
, David Nalbandian
, Vince Spadea
, Agustín Calleri
, Mardy Fish
, Robby Ginepri
, Daniel Nestor
, Tomáš Berdych
, Joachim Johansson
are all victims of Fleishman.
, James Blake
, Michael Chang
, Radek Štěpánek
, Richard Gasquet
, Tommy Haas
, Dominik Hrbatý
, Sam Querrey
Sponsor Interview: http://new.eletewater.com/uploads/athletes/ZackFleishman.pdf
http://new.eletewater.com/uploads/documents/brochure2.pdf
http://www.theage.com.au/advertisers/sport/tennisloversguide/20moments.html
Fleishman # 13 with picture of the 20 Most Memorable moments in Australian Open History http://www.theage.com.au/advertisers/sport/tennisloversguide/20moments.html; The article does not include his 138 mph serve which was the 4th-fastest serve at the Australian Open in 2007
Tennis career
Fleishman began playing tennis at the age of 8.In 1998, he became the highest ranked American junior in the world (at # 18 in the world rankings). He was the top-ranked player in Southern California
Southern California
Southern California is a megaregion, or megapolitan area, in the southern area of the U.S. state of California. Large urban areas include Greater Los Angeles and Greater San Diego. The urban area stretches along the coast from Ventura through the Southland and Inland Empire to San Diego...
in boys 10, 12, 14, and 18s, and was listed No. 5 nationally in boys 14 and unders at age 13. He competed in numerous Junior Grand Slam events, including Wimbledon
The Championships, Wimbledon
The Championships, Wimbledon, or simply Wimbledon , is the oldest tennis tournament in the world, considered by many to be the most prestigious. It has been held at the All England Club in Wimbledon, London since 1877. It is one of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments, the other three Majors...
, the French Open, and the US Open where he reached the quarterfinals.
Fleishman played one year of high school tennis at Crossroads School
Crossroads School (Santa Monica, California)
Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences is a K-12 independent, college preparatory school in Santa Monica, California, United States. The school is a member of the G20 Schools Group.-History:...
in ninth grade for coach Martin Hershey. He went undefeated for that season, and won the Delphic League Championship.
At the age of 18, he played one season (1998–99) of collegiate tennis at the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA). That year Fleishman helped UCLA to the number 1 ranking in the country, and to the final of the National Collegiate Athletics Association championships. After one year of competing on the collegiate level, Fleishman opted to turn professional in 2000.
He has won seven professional singles titles (and numerous doubles titles) in his career, starting with back to back satellite wins in El Salvador
El Salvador
El Salvador or simply Salvador is the smallest and the most densely populated country in Central America. The country's capital city and largest city is San Salvador; Santa Ana and San Miguel are also important cultural and commercial centers in the country and in all of Central America...
on hard court, followed by a win in Honduras
Honduras
Honduras is a republic in Central America. It was previously known as Spanish Honduras to differentiate it from British Honduras, which became the modern-day state of Belize...
on red clay. Fleishman then won back-to-back titles again, this time in his native California, winning two futures events in Redding
Redding, California
Redding is a city in far-Northern California. It is the county seat of Shasta County, California, USA. With a population of 89,861, according to the 2010 Census...
and Chico
Chico, California
Chico is the most populous city in Butte County, California, United States. The population was 86,187 at the 2010 census, up from 59,954 at the time of the 2000 census...
(he also won the doubles title). Later, he was able to establish himself on the challenger circuit, winning a US$25,000 event in Ecuador
Ecuador
Ecuador , officially the Republic of Ecuador is a representative democratic republic in South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and by the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is one of only two countries in South America, along with Chile, that do not have a border...
on red clay and then a US$50,000 event in Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
on hard court. This propelled his ranking to 11th in the United States and World # 127. In 2008, Zack added another professional tournament victory to his resume winning the Costa Mesa Tennis Futures.
2006
In 2006, Fleishman qualified for his first Grand SlamGrand 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...
event: 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...
. He won three qualifying matches and then drew World No. 85 Dick Norman
Dick Norman
Dick Norman is a professional tennis player. He has achieved a degree of folk popularity among tennis fans due to his height , his left-handed power game and, in the last few years, his age .Turning professional in 1991, Norman notched up only his 14th Grand Slam...
of Belgium. Fleishman rallied from two sets down to force a fifth set. However, Fleishman was unable to capitalize on his momentum, and lost the fifth set and the match.
2007
In 2007, Fleishman again qualified for the Australian OpenAustralian 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...
. This time, he defeated World # 26 Agustín Calleri
Agustín Calleri
Agustín Calleri Shaal is a retired professional male tennis player from Argentina. His nickname is Gordo which means Fat in Spanish. He is known as a hard-hitter and he prefers playing on clay....
of Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
in the first round, before falling to Australian Wayne Arthurs in the second round. Fleishman had his hair dyed bright red, white, and blue for the occasion, to symbolise American national pride.
The same year, Fleishman won three matches and qualified at Wimbledon
The Championships, Wimbledon
The Championships, Wimbledon, or simply Wimbledon , is the oldest tennis tournament in the world, considered by many to be the most prestigious. It has been held at the All England Club in Wimbledon, London since 1877. It is one of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments, the other three Majors...
, where he faced World No. 10 Tommy Haas
Tommy Haas
Tommy Haas is a German and recently naturalized American professional tennis player. He has competed on the ATP Tour since 1996. After breaking into the world top 100 in 1997, and reaching a career-high ranking of world no...
. On July 17, 2007, Fleishman achieved his first victory over a top-ten player, defeating World # 6 Fernando González
Fernando González
----Fernando Francisco González Ciuffardi is a professional tennis player from Chile. He is known for having one of the hardest forehands on the circuit. In Spanish he is called El Bombardero de La Reina and Mano de Piedra...
7–6 (5), 6–4, in the first round of the Los Angeles Tennis Center's Countrywide Classic. He proceeded to beat fellow American Robert Kendrick
Robert Kendrick
Robert Bradley Kendrick is an American tennis player. He turned professional in 1999. His career high single ranking is world no. 69, achieved on July 20, 2009. He was suspended for a year after testing positive at the 2011 French Open for the drug methylhexanamine, which has been banned in sport...
7–6 (4), 6–3, in the second round, compiling his first ever back-to-back wins in an Association of Tennis Professionals
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...
event. In the quarterfinals, however, Fleishman fell to the eventual tournament champion Radek Štěpánek
Radek Štepánek
Radek Štěpánek is a professional tennis player from the Czech Republic.-Career:Štěpánek turned professional in 1997. He started on tour as a doubles specialist, winning 12 ATP titles. Since 2002, Štěpánek has focused on being a better singles player while still playing top-level doubles...
, 6–4, 6–2.
2008
In September 2008, Fleishman won the USA F23 in California, beating Michael McCluneMichael McClune
Michael McClune is an American professional tennis player.He turned professional in 2007, is represented by Olivier van Lindonk of IMG, and signed a lucrative contract with Nike.-Junior career:...
in the finals, 4–6, 6–4, 7–6 (5). He and McClune partnered to win the doubles in the tournament, dropping only one set along the way.
Career ATP Tour match wins
Fernando GonzálezFernando González
----Fernando Francisco González Ciuffardi is a professional tennis player from Chile. He is known for having one of the hardest forehands on the circuit. In Spanish he is called El Bombardero de La Reina and Mano de Piedra...
, David Nalbandian
David Nalbandian
David Pablo Nalbandian is an Argentine professional tennis player and former world no. 3. He was runner-up at the 2002 Wimbledon Championships and the winner of the Tennis Masters Cup in 2005.-Biography:...
, Vince Spadea
Vince Spadea
Vincent Spadea [SPAY-dee-ya] is an ATP Tour professional tennis player from the United States. He is one of only four players in history to defeat Roger Federer 6–0 in set, at a major event....
, Agustín Calleri
Agustín Calleri
Agustín Calleri Shaal is a retired professional male tennis player from Argentina. His nickname is Gordo which means Fat in Spanish. He is known as a hard-hitter and he prefers playing on clay....
, Mardy Fish
Mardy Fish
Mardy Simpson Fish is an American professional tennis player, and Olympic silver medalist. He is a hardcourt specialist...
, Robby Ginepri
Robby Ginepri
Robert Louis Ginepri is an American professional tennis player.-Early life:Robby Ginepri is of Luxembourgish ancestry....
, Daniel Nestor
Daniel Nestor
Daniel Mark Nestor, CM , born Danijel Nestorović September 4, 1972, in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, is a Serbian-born Canadian professional tennis player from Toronto, Ontario, Canada....
, Tomáš Berdych
Tomáš Berdych
Tomáš Berdych is a professional tennis player from the Czech Republic. His most notable achievements are reaching the final of the 2010 Wimbledon Championships, and the semifinals of the 2010 French Open. He defeated the Croatian player Ivan Ljubičić in five sets to win the Paris Masters in 2005...
, Joachim Johansson
Joachim Johansson
Joachim Johansson is a former professional male tennis player from Sweden.-Background:Johansson was born in Lund and currently lives in Södertälje, Sweden. His father, Leif Johansson, was also a tennis player and represented Sweden in the Davis Cup in the 1970s. He goes by the nickname "Pim Pim",...
are all victims of Fleishman.
ATP Tour match losses
Nikolay DavydenkoNikolay Davydenko
Nikolay Vladimirovich Davydenko is a Ukrainian-Russian tennis player. Davydenko's best result in a Grand Slam tournament has been reaching the semifinals, which he has done on four occasions: twice each at the French Open and the U.S. Open. His biggest achievement to date was winning the 2009 ATP...
, James Blake
James Blake
James Riley Blake is an American professional tennis player. Blake is known for his speed and powerful, flat forehand. As of August 2011, Blake is ranked no. 63 among active male players with 24 career finals appearances...
, Michael Chang
Michael Chang
Michael Te-Pei Chang is a former American professional tennis player. He is best remembered for becoming the youngest-ever male player to win a Grand Slam singles title when he won the French Open in 1989 at the age of 17....
, Radek Štěpánek
Radek Štepánek
Radek Štěpánek is a professional tennis player from the Czech Republic.-Career:Štěpánek turned professional in 1997. He started on tour as a doubles specialist, winning 12 ATP titles. Since 2002, Štěpánek has focused on being a better singles player while still playing top-level doubles...
, Richard Gasquet
Richard Gasquet
Richard Gasquet is a French professional tennis player. He won the mixed doubles Grand Slam title at the 2004 French Open, partnering Tatiana Golovin. His highest ranking in singles is #7. His best achievements in tennis are reaching the semi-finals of Wimbledon in 2007 and later that year...
, Tommy Haas
Tommy Haas
Tommy Haas is a German and recently naturalized American professional tennis player. He has competed on the ATP Tour since 1996. After breaking into the world top 100 in 1997, and reaching a career-high ranking of world no...
, Dominik Hrbatý
Dominik Hrbatý
Dominik Hrbatý is a retired professional tennis player from Slovakia.-Personal life:Hrbatý was born on 4 January 1978 in Bratislava, Czechoslovakia. His father was an architecture engineer and his younger brother is an umpire...
, Sam Querrey
Sam Querrey
Sam Austin Querrey is a professional American tennis player from Thousand Oaks, California currently living in Las Vegas, Nevada. As of August 2010, he is the fourth-highest ranked American. His career high rank was #17, achieved on January 31, 2011. His height allows him to play with a strong...
Interviews
Podcast Interview: http://tenniszonepodcast.com/Episodes/Entries/2008/3/7_Zack_Fleishman.htmlSponsor Interview: http://new.eletewater.com/uploads/athletes/ZackFleishman.pdf
http://new.eletewater.com/uploads/documents/brochure2.pdf
http://www.theage.com.au/advertisers/sport/tennisloversguide/20moments.html
Fleishman # 13 with picture of the 20 Most Memorable moments in Australian Open History http://www.theage.com.au/advertisers/sport/tennisloversguide/20moments.html; The article does not include his 138 mph serve which was the 4th-fastest serve at the Australian Open in 2007