Juan Sebastián Cabal Explained

Juan Sebastián Cabal
Full Name:Juan Sebastián Cabal Valdés
Residence:Panama City, Panama
Birth Date:1986 4, df=yes
Birth Place:Cali, Colombia[1]
Height:1.85m (06.07feet)
Turnedpro:2005
Retired:2023
Plays:Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Coach:Jeff Coetzee
Careerprizemoney:US$5,264,879
Singlesrecord:7–4 (ATP Tour and Grand Slam level, and in Davis Cup)
Singlestitles:0
Highestsinglesranking:No. 184 (28 February 2011)
Australianopenresult:Q1 (2011, 2012)
Frenchopenresult:Q2 (2011)
Wimbledonresult:Q1 (2011)
Usopenresult:Q1 (2010, 2011)
Doublesrecord:394–255 (ATP Tour and Grand Slam level, and in Davis Cup)
Doublestitles:20
Highestdoublesranking:No. 1 (15 July 2019)
Australianopendoublesresult:F (2018)
Frenchopendoublesresult:F (2011)
Wimbledondoublesresult:W (2019)
Usopendoublesresult:W (2019)
Olympicsdoublesresult:QF (2021)
Othertournamentsdoubles:yes
Masterscupdoublesresult:SF (2018, 2019)
Australianopenmixedresult:W (2017)
Frenchopenmixedresult:SF (2021)
Wimbledonmixedresult:QF (2016)
Usopenmixedresult:QF (2015, 2017)
Medaltemplates-Expand:yes
Updated:29 January 2024

Juan Sebastián Cabal Valdés (pronounced as /es/; born 25 April 1986)[1] is a Colombian former professional tennis player. A world No. 1 in doubles, he also reached a career-high singles ranking of No. 184 in February 2011.

Cabal is a three-time Grand Slam champion, having won both the Wimbledon Championships and the US Open in 2019 in men's doubles, alongside compatriot Robert Farah, as well as the 2017 Australian Open in mixed doubles with Abigail Spears. He also finished runner-up in men's doubles at the 2011 French Open, partnering Eduardo Schwank, and the 2018 Australian Open with Farah.

Cabal won 20 doubles titles on the ATP Tour, including two at Masters 1000 level, and became world No. 1 in doubles for the first time on 15 July 2019. He spent a total of 29 weeks at the top of the doubles rankings, and he and Farah were the 2019 ATP Doubles Team of the year. Cabal represented Colombia in the Davis Cup from 2008 to his retirement, as well as at the 2012, 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games.

Professional career

2011: ATP, Grand Slam debut and final, New partnership with Farah, Top 25 year-end ranking

2011 is considered as Cabal ATP and Grand Slam debut, and also considered the best year for his doubles performance at the 2011 French Open with Argentine Eduardo Schwank making history for Colombian tennis, as they defeated the No. 1 ranked pair in the semifinals, brothers Mike Bryan and Bob Bryan, 7–6(4), 6–3 and then lost the final to Daniel Nestor and Max Mirnyi.

In his second Gram Slam tournament, the 2011 Wimbledon Championships, he debuted in the first round with fellow countryman Robert Farah. They defeated the 4th seeded pair at the tournament, consisting of Pakistani Aisam Qureshi (8 in the world) and India's Rohan Bopanna (9 in the world), 2–6, 6–2 and 21–19. In the second round, they lost in three sets to the couple formed by American Michael Russell and Mikhail Kukushkin Kazakhstan, 6–4, 6–2, 6–3. He finished 2011 ranked No. 25 in the world largely thanks to his French Open run.

2013: First ATP final with Farah

In the 2013 Australian Open, he partnered again with Robert Farah and reached the quarterfinals. In 2013, they also reached the final at the ATP250 2013 Open de Nice Côte d'Azur. He finished the year ranked No. 43 in the world.

2014: First two ATP titles, seventh final

In 2014, Cabal and Farah reached six ATP finals, winning titles at the ATP500 2014 Rio Open and the ATP250 2014 Winston-Salem Open. They also reached the final of the ATP1000 event in Miami where they lost to Bob and Mike Bryan. He also reached a seventh final in his home country's ATP250 event, the 2014 Claro Open Colombia in Bogota with compatriot Nicolás Barrientos. He finished the year ranked No. 22 in the world.

2015: Two more ATP 250 titles, Top 20 debut

In 2015, Cabal and Farah added a further two titles winning the 2015 Brasil Open and the 2015 Geneva Open and reaching another three finals. In February he reached a career-high ranking of No. 18 in the world. In Grand Slam events the pair struggled reaching the second round in Australia, Wimbledon and the US, and losing in the 1st round at the French Open. He finished the year ranked No. 25 in the world.

2016: Four ATP titles

2016 was the pair's most successful year in terms of the number of titles, winning four. At the 2016 Australian Open, they had their best Grand Slam result of the year, reaching the third round. In February they won two events in South America, the 2016 Argentina Open in Buenos Aires and the 2016 Rio Open. In May they reached the final in 2016 BMW Open in Munich, and then won the ATP250 event in Nice for a second time in their career. They finished the season by winning the 2016 Kremlin Cup in Moscow. Cabal finished the season ranked No. 30 in the world.

2017: Two more ATP 250 titles

In 2017, Cabal and Farah started the year by once again reaching the third round at the 2017 Australian Open. They returned to South America, defending their title at the 2017 Argentina Open and reaching the final again in Rio. They then won the ATP250 event in Munich. He then reached his first Grand Slam semifinal since 2011 at the 2017 French Open with Farah, where they lost to Michael Venus and Ryan Harrison.

2018: Australian Open final, First Masters 1000 title, Top 10 debut

In May 2018, at the 2018 Italian Open, Cabal and Farah won their first Masters 1000 title against Pablo Carreño Busta and João Sousa. With the win, Cabal reached the top 10 for the first time in his career.

2019: Two Grand Slam and Second Masters titles, World No. 1

In 2019, the most successful year for Cabal and Farah, they won their first ever grand slam men's doubles title at Wimbledon in 2019, defeating Frenchmen Nicolas Mahut and Édouard Roger-Vasselin in a thrilling 5 set match that required 4 tie-break sets; this victory helped Farah and Cabal to both ascend to world No. 1 in the week following the conclusion of the Championships.[2]

2020: French Open semifinal, Year-End World No. 2

Before the COVID-19 pandemic led to the suspension of the season, Cabal competed with Jaume Munar in the 2020 Australian Open, where they lost in the second round.

Playing with Farah once more, the pair reached the second round of the 2020 US Open. Then, they reached the semifinal of the delayed 2020 French Open, losing to Mate Pavić and Bruno Soares. Cabal ended the year as the world number 2.[3]

2021: Three titles, French Open semifinal, Olympics quarterfinals, Finals qualification

Cabal and Farah started their year by reaching the final at the 2021 Great Ocean Road Open where they reached the final, losing to Jamie Murray and Bruno Soares.[4] Despite being seeded first, they lost in the second round of the 2021 Australian Open to Alexander Bublik and Andrey Golubev.

They won their first title of the year in Dubai, defeating Nikola Mektić and Mate Pavić in the final.[5] After losing in Miami and Monte Carlo, they claimed their second title of the year in Barcelona. This was followed by successive first round exits in two Masters 1000 events, Madrid and Rome.

At the 2021 French Open, Cabal and Farah were seeded second and reached the semifinals, losing to eventual champions Pierre-Hughes Herbert and Nicolas Mahut.[6]

In the grass season, they suffered a second round loss at Queen's Club, before a semifinal appearance at Eastbourne, where they lost to Joe Salisbury and Rajeev Ram, who also defeated them in the quarterfinals at Wimbledon.[7]

Cabal and Farah represented Colombia at the Tokyo Olympics, where they reached the quarterfinals before losing to the New Zealand pairing of Marcus Daniell and Michael Venus.

They suffered a disappointing American hard court season, losing in the first round of the US Open and Indian Wells.[8] However, they captured their third title of the year in Vienna, avenging their earlier defeats to Salisbury and Ram by beating them in the final in straight sets.[9] During their run, they qualified for the 2021 ATP finals.[10]

2023: Retirement

Cabal made his last ATP tour-level professional appearance at the 2023 US Open (tennis) with Farah where they lost in the second round.[11]

Performance timelines

Doubles

Current through the 2023 US Open.

Tournament2008200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020202120222023SRW-L
Grand Slam tournaments
Australian OpenAAAA2RQF1R2R3R3Rbgcolor=thistleF1R2R2R2R3R0 / 1219–12
French OpenAAAbgcolor=thistleF3R3R1R1R1Rbgcolor=yellowSFQFbgcolor=yellowSFbgcolor=yellowSFbgcolor=yellowSF1R2R0 / 1329–13
WimbledonAAA3R1R3R3R2R2R2R3Rbgcolor=limeWstyle=color:#767676NHQFbgcolor=yellowSF1R1 / 1224–11
US OpenAAA2R1R1R2R2R1R3Rbgcolor=yellowSFbgcolor=limeW2R1Rbgcolor=yellowSF2R1 / 1321–12
Win–loss0–00–00–08–33–47–43–43–43–49–414–416–26–38–49–44–42 / 5093–48
Year-end championship
ATP Finalsdid not qualifybgcolor=yellowSFbgcolor=yellowSFDNQRRDNQ0 / 34–7
National representation
Summer OlympicsAnot held1Rnot held2Rnot heldQFNH0 / 33–3
Davis CupZ1Z1Z1Z1Z1POPOPOZ1POPORRRRPOQR0 / 216–11
ATP Tour Masters 1000
Indian Wells MastersAAAA1R2RA2R1RA1RQFNH1R2R1R0 / 95–9
Miami OpenAAAAQF1Rbgcolor=thistleF2RA1R1R2Rstyle=color:#767676NH2R1R2R0 / 1011–10
Monte-Carlo MastersAAAA2RA2R1Rbgcolor=yellowSFAQF2Rstyle=color:#767676NHbgcolor=yellowSFF2R0 / 915–9
Madrid OpenAAAA2RAbgcolor=yellowSFQF1R2Rbgcolor=yellowSF1Rstyle=color:#767676NH2RF1R0 / 1013–10
Italian OpenAAAA2RA1RQF1RAbgcolor=limeWbgcolor=limeW2R1R2R1R2 / 1014–8
Canadian OpenAAAAAA1RAA2R2R1Rstyle=color:#767676NHQF1RA0 / 62–6
Cincinnati MastersAAAbgcolor=yellowSF2RA2R2RA2Rbgcolor=thistleFbgcolor=thistleF1Rbgcolor=yellowSF1RA0 / 1015–10
Shanghai Mastersstyle=color:#767676NHAAAAAQFQF2R2Rbgcolor=yellowSFQFnot held0 / 610–6
Paris MastersAAAAAA2R2R1R2R2R2RAQFAA0 / 75–7
Win–loss0–00–00–03–16–61–212–810–84–65–613–816–81–26–810–82–52 / 7789–75
Career statistics
Titles000000224315030020
Finals000111755647242146
Overall win–loss0–01–10–112–524–2221–2142–2639–2532–2143–2039–2351–2013–939–2024–2113–20393–255
Year-end ranking194221142254643222530235bgcolor=lime1bgcolor=thistle21029

Mixed doubles

Tournament2011201220132014201520162017201820192020202120222023SRW–L
Grand Slam tournaments
Australian OpenA1R1RAQF1Rbgcolor=limeWQFQF1R1R1R2R1 / 1112–11
French OpenA1RQF2R1R1R2RQF1Rstyle=color:#767676NHbgcolor=yellowSFAA0 / 98–9
Wimbledon1R1R1R2R3RQF3RQFAstyle=color:#767676NHAAA0 / 88–8
US OpenAAA1RQF1RQF2RAstyle=color:#767676NHAA0 / 55–5
Win–loss0–10–32–31–35–43–49–38–42–20–12–10–11–11 / 3133–31

Major finals

Grand Slam finals

Doubles: 4 (2 titles, 2 runner-ups)

OutcomeYearChampionshipSurfacePartnerOpponentsScore
Loss2011French OpenClay Eduardo Schwank Max Mirnyi
Daniel Nestor
6–7(3–7), 6–3, 4–6
LossHard Robert Farah Oliver Marach
Mate Pavić
4–6, 4–6
WinGrass Robert Farah Nicolas Mahut
Édouard Roger-Vasselin
6–7(5–7), 7–6(7–5), 7–6(8–6), 6–7(5–7), 6–3
Win2019US OpenHard Robert Farah Marcel Granollers
Horacio Zeballos
6–4, 7–5

Mixed doubles: 1 (1 title)

Masters 1000 finals

Doubles: 7 (2 titles, 5 runner-ups)

OutcomeYearChampionshipSurfacePartnerOpponentsScore
Loss2014Miami OpenHard Robert Farah Bob Bryan
Mike Bryan
6–7(8–10), 4–6
Win2018Italian OpenClay Robert Farah Pablo Carreño Busta
João Sousa
3–6, 6–4, [10–4]
Loss2018Cincinnati MastersHard Robert Farah Jamie Murray
Bruno Soares
6–4, 3–6, [6–10]
Win2019Italian Open (2)Clay Robert Farah Raven Klaasen
Michael Venus
6–1, 6–3
Loss2019Cincinnati MastersHard Robert Farah Ivan Dodig
Filip Polášek
6–4, 4–6, [6–10]
Loss2022Monte-Carlo MastersClay Robert Farah Rajeev Ram
Joe Salisbury
4–6, 6–3, [7–10]
Loss2022Madrid OpenClay Robert Farah Wesley Koolhof
Neal Skupski
7–6(7–4), 4–6, [5–10]

ATP career finals

Doubles: 46 (20 titles, 26 runner-ups)

Legend
Grand Slam tournaments (2–2)
ATP World Tour Finals (0–0)
ATP World Tour Masters 1000 (2–5)
ATP World Tour 500 Series (6–5)
ATP World Tour 250 Series (10–14)
Finals by surface
Hard (6–10)
Clay (12–15)
Grass (2–1)
Finals by setting
Outdoor (17–25)
Indoor (3–1)
Resultclass=unsortableW–LDateTournamentTierSurfacePartnerOpponentsclass=unsortableScore
Loss0–1style=background:#F3E6D7French Open,
France
style=background:#F3E6D7Grand SlamClay Max Mirnyi
Daniel Nestor
6–7(3–7), 6–3, 4–6
Loss0–2Rosmalen Championships,
Netherlands
250 SeriesGrass Dmitry Tursunov Robert Lindstedt
Horia Tecău
3–6, 6–7(1–7)
Loss0–3Open de Nice Côte d'Azur,
France
250 SeriesClay Robert Farah Johan Brunström
Raven Klaasen
3–6, 2–6
Loss0–4Brisbane International,
Australia
250 SeriesHard Robert Farah Mariusz Fyrstenberg
Daniel Nestor
7–6(7–4), 4–6, [7–10]
Loss0–5Chile Open,
Chile
250 SeriesClay Robert Farah Oliver Marach
Florin Mergea
3–6, 4–6
Win1–5style=background:#D4F1C5Rio Open,
Brazil
style=background:#D4F1C5500 SeriesClay Robert Farah David Marrero
Marcelo Melo
6–4, 6–2
Loss1–6Brasil Open,
Brazil
250 SeriesClay (i) Robert Farah Guillermo García-López
Philipp Oswald
7–5, 4–6, [13–15]
Loss1–7style=background:#E9E9E9Miami Open,
United States
style=background:#E9E9E9Masters 1000Hard Robert Farah Bob Bryan
Mike Bryan
6–7(8–10), 4–6
Loss1–8Colombia Open,
Colombia
250 SeriesHard Nicolás Barrientos Sam Groth
Chris Guccione
6–7(5–7), 7–6(7–3), [9–11]
Win2–8Winston-Salem Open,
United States
250 SeriesHard Robert Farah Jamie Murray
John Peers
6–3, 6–4
Win3–8Brasil Open,
Brazil
250 SeriesClay (i) Robert Farah Paolo Lorenzi
Diego Schwartzman
6–4, 6–2
Win4–8Geneva Open,
Switzerland
250 SeriesClay Robert Farah Raven Klaasen
Lu Yen-hsun
7–5, 4–6, [10–7]
Loss4–9Swedish Open,
Sweden
250 SeriesClay Robert Farah Jérémy Chardy
Łukasz Kubot
7–6(8–6), 3–6, [8–10]
Loss4–10style=background:#D4F1C5German Open,
Germany
style=background:#D4F1C5500 SeriesClay Robert Farah Jamie Murray
John Peers
6–2, 3–6, [8–10]
Loss4–11style=background:#D4F1C5Japan Open,
Japan
style=background:#D4F1C5500 SeriesHard Robert Farah Raven Klaasen
Marcelo Melo
6–7(5–7), 6–3, [7–10]
Win5–11Argentina Open,
Argentina
250 SeriesClay Robert Farah Íñigo Cervantes
Paolo Lorenzi
6–3, 6–0
Win6–11style=background:#D4F1C5Rio Open,
Brazil (2)
style=background:#D4F1C5500 SeriesClay Robert Farah Pablo Carreño Busta
David Marrero
7–6(7–5), 6–1
Loss6–12Bavarian International,
Germany
250 SeriesClay Robert Farah Henri Kontinen
John Peers
3–6, 6–3, [7–10]
Win7–12Open de Nice Côte d'Azur,
France
250 SeriesClay Robert Farah Mate Pavić
Michael Venus
4–6, 6–4, [10–8]
Win8–12Kremlin Cup,
Russia
250 SeriesHard (i) Robert Farah Julian Knowle
Jürgen Melzer
7–5, 4–6, [10–5]
Win9–12Argentina Open,
Argentina (2)
250 SeriesClay Robert Farah Santiago González
David Marrero
6–1, 6–4
Loss9–13style=background:#D4F1C5Rio Open,
Brazil
style=background:#D4F1C5500 SeriesClay Robert Farah Pablo Carreño Busta
Pablo Cuevas
4–6, 7–5, [8–10]
Loss9–14Hungarian Open,
Hungary
250 SeriesClay Robert Farah Brian Baker
Nikola Mektić
6–7(2–7), 4–6
Win10–14Bavarian International,
Germany
250 SeriesClay Robert Farah Jérémy Chardy
Fabrice Martin
6–3, 6–3
Loss10–15Geneva Open,
Switaerland
250 SeriesClay Robert Farah Jean-Julien Rojer
Horia Tecău
6–2, 6–7(9–11), [6–10]
Win11–15Los Cabos Open,
Mexico
250 SeriesHard Treat Huey Sergio Galdós
Roberto Maytín
6–2, 6–3
Loss11–16style=background:#F3E6D7Australian Open,
Australia
style=background:#F3E6D7Grand SlamHard Robert Farah Oliver Marach
Mate Pavić
4–6, 4–6
Loss11–17Argentina Open,
Argentina
250 SeriesClay Robert Farah Andrés Molteni
Horacio Zeballos
3–6, 7–5, [3–10]
Win12–17style=background:#E9E9E9Italian Open,
Italy
style=background:#E9E9E9Masters 1000Clay Robert Farah Pablo Carreño Busta
João Sousa
3–6, 6–4, [10–4]
Loss12–18style=background:#E9E9E9Cincinnati Masters,
United States
style=background:#E9E9E9Masters 1000Hard Robert Farah Jamie Murray
Bruno Soares
6–4, 3–6, [6–10]
Loss12–19Sydney International,
Australia
250 SeriesHard Robert Farah Jamie Murray
Bruno Soares
4–6, 3–6
Win13–19style=background:#D4F1C5Barcelona Open,
Spain
style=background:#D4F1C5500 SeriesClay Robert Farah Jamie Murray
Bruno Soares
6–4, 7–6(7–4)
Win14–19style=background:#E9E9E9Italian Open,
Italy (2)
style=background:#E9E9E9Masters 1000Clay Robert Farah Raven Klaasen
Michael Venus
6–1, 6–3
Win15–19Eastbourne International,
United Kingdom
250 SeriesGrass Robert Farah Maximo González
Horacio Zeballos
3–6, 7–6(7–4), [10–6]
Win16–19style=background:#F3E6D7Wimbledon Championships,
United Kingdom
style=background:#F3E6D7Grand SlamGrass Robert Farah Nicolas Mahut
6–7(5–7), 7–6(7–5), 7–6(8–6), 6–7(5–7), 6–3
Loss16–20style=background:#E9E9E9Cincinnati Masters,
United States
style=background:#E9E9E9Masters 1000Hard Robert Farah6–4, 4–6, [6–10]
Win17–20style=background:#F3E6D7US Open,
United States
style=background:#F3E6D7Grand SlamHard Robert Farah Marcel Granollers
Horacio Zeballos
6–4, 7–5
Loss17–21style=background:#D4F1C5Mexican Open,
Mexico
style=background:#D4F1C5500 SeriesHard Robert Farah Łukasz Kubot
Marcelo Melo
6–7(6–8), 7–6(7–4), [9–11]
Loss17–22Sardegna Open,
Italy
250 SeriesClay Robert Farah Marcus Daniell
Philipp Oswald
3–6, 4–6
Loss17–23Great Ocean Road Open,
Australia
250 SeriesHard Robert Farah Jamie Murray
Bruno Soares
3–6, 6–7(7–9)
Win18–23style=background:#D4F1C5Dubai Tennis Championships,
United Arab Emirates
style=background:#D4F1C5500 SeriesHard Robert Farah Nikola Mektić
Mate Pavić
7–6(7–0), 7–6(7–4)
Win19–23style=background:#D4F1C5Barcelona Open,
Spain
style=background:#D4F1C5500 SeriesClay Robert Farah Kevin Krawietz
Horia Tecău
6–4, 6–2
Win20–23style=background:#D4F1C5Vienna Open,
Austria
style=background:#D4F1C5500 SeriesHard (i) Robert Farah Rajeev Ram
Joe Salisbury
6–4, 6–2
Loss20–24Monte-Carlo Masters,
Monaco
Masters 1000Clay Robert Farah Rajeev Ram
Joe Salisbury
4–6, 6–3, [7–10]
Loss20–25style=background:#E9E9E9Madrid Open,
Spain
style=background:#E9E9E9Masters 1000Clay Robert Farah Wesley Koolhof
Neal Skupski
7–6(7–4), 4–6, [5–10]
Loss20–26Rio Open,
Brazil
500 SeriesClay Marcelo Melo Máximo González
Andrés Molteni
1–6, 6–7(3–7)

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Player profile – Juan Sebastian Cabal . Association of Tennis Professionals.
  2. Web site: Colombian History: Cabal/Farah Triumph in Wimbledon Final Thriller. ATP Tour. 13 July 2019.
  3. Web site: Rankings Doubles ATP Tour Tennis. 2021-10-31. ATP Tour.
  4. Web site: They're Back! Jamie Murray/Bruno Soares Win Great Ocean Road Open Title ATP Tour Tennis. 2021-10-31. ATP Tour.
  5. Web site: Dubai Draws ATP Tour Tennis. 2021-10-31. ATP Tour.
  6. Web site: Draws – Roland-Garros – The 2021 Roland-Garros Tournament official site. 2021-10-31. rolandgarros.com.
  7. Web site: Wimbledon Men's Doubles draw. 2021-10-31. wimbledon.com.
  8. Web site: US Open Men's Doubles draw.
  9. Web site: Cabal/Farah holen Doppel-Titel. 2021-10-31. Erste Bank Open. de-DE.
  10. Web site: Cabal Farah Nitto ATP Finals 2021 Qualification Turin Nitto ATP Finals Tennis. 2021-10-31. Nitto ATP Finals.
  11. Web site: 3 September 2023 . Cabal/Farah Say Adios to the Big Stage . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230903133829/https://www.atptour.com/en/news/cabal-farah-feature-us-open-2023 . 3 September 2023 . 7 September 2023 . Association of Tennis Professionals.