Manuela Maleeva Explained

Native Name:Мануела Малеева
Native Name Lang:bg
Country: (1982–89)
(1990–94)
Residence:La Tour-de-Peilz, Switzerland
Birth Date:1967 2, df=yes
Birth Place:Sofia, Bulgaria
Height:1.73m (05.68feet)
Turnedpro:May 1982
Retired:February 1994
Plays:Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Careerprizemoney:US$3,244,811
Singlestitles:19
Highestsinglesranking:No. 3 (4 February 1985)
Australianopenresult:QF (1985, 1992, 1994)
Frenchopenresult:QF (1985, 1987, 1989, 1990)
Wimbledonresult:QF (1984)
Usopenresult:SF (1992, 1993)
Othertournaments:yes
Wtachampionshipsresult:SF (1987)
Olympicsresult: Bronze Medal (1988)
Doublestitles:4
Highestdoublesranking:No. 11 (2 August 1993)
Australianopendoublesresult:3R (1991, 1992, 1994)
Frenchopendoublesresult:QF (1986)
Wimbledondoublesresult:3R (1993)
Usopendoublesresult:2R (1985, 1989)
Mixed:yes
Mixedtitles:1
Frenchopenmixedresult:3R (1984, 1986)
Wimbledonmixedresult:2R (1985)
Usopenmixedresult:W (1984)
Team:yes
Fedcupresult:
SF (1985, 1987)

QF (1991)
Hopmancupresult:
W (1992)
Medals-Expand:yes

Manuela Georgieva Maleeva (Bulgarian: Мануела Георгиева Малеева; born 14 February 1967) is a Bulgarian former professional tennis player. She played on the WTA Tour between 1982 and 1994. Through her marriage, Maleeva began representing Switzerland officially from January 1990 until her retirement in February 1994.

One of the most consistent players on tour in the 1980s and early 1990s, Maleeva reached her career-high singles ranking of No. 3 in the world in February 1985 and finished with a year-end top 10 ranking for nine consecutive years (1984 till 1992). A winner of 19 WTA singles titles and four doubles titles, she also reached a total of 14 Grand Slam quarterfinals in her career, including two US Open semifinals in 1992 and 1993, which are her career-best Grand Slam results. She was a semifinalist at the 1987 Virginia Slims Championships.

Maleeva was the bronze medalist in singles at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, winning Bulgaria's first (and thus far, only) Olympic tennis medal. In 1992, she paired up with Jakob Hlasek at the Hopman Cup where they took home Switzerland's first ever title at the event.

Career

Maleeva was born in Sofia, the oldest of the three children of Georgi Maleev and Yuliya Berberyan. Her mother, who came from an Armenian family, was the best Bulgarian tennis player in the 1960s. After she retired from professional tennis in the 1970s, Berberyan started a coaching career. She coached all three of her daughters, Manuela, Katerina, and Magdalena, each of whom became a top six player.[1]

In 1982, Maleeva won the junior French Open, and also made her debut on the senior tour, ending the year ranked in the top 100.[2] After ending the 1983 season in the top 40, she won five tournaments in 1984, and made her debut in the top 10 after defeating Chris Evert in the final of the Italian Open. She also won her only Grand Slam title that year – in mixed doubles at the US Open with American Tom Gullikson.[2]

In 1988, Maleeva-Fragnière won a bronze medal in singles at the Seoul Olympics in Seoul. In 1992 and 1993, Maleeva-Fragnière registered her all-time best achievement in Grand Slam singles competition when she reached the semifinals of the US Open both years (in 1992, after beating youngest sister Magdalena in the quarterfinals).[2]

In 1994, Maleeva-Fragnière retired from professional tennis, after winning the title in Osaka where she beat Iva Majoli in the final. During her 12-year career, she won 19 WTA singles titles, four doubles titles, and one mixed doubles title. She also teamed with Jakob Hlasek to help Switzerland win the Hopman Cup in 1992.[2]

In Fed Cup competition, Maleeva twice helped Bulgaria reach the semifinals (1985 and 1987), and then led Switzerland to the quarterfinals in 1991.[2]

Personal life

Maleeva married Swiss tennis coach François Fragnière in December 1987 and from then on, began competing as Manuela Maleeva-Fragnière. She represented Switzerland from 1990 until her retirement. They have three children, Lora, born in 1995, Iva in 1997, Timo in 1999, but divorced in 2003.[1] She currently resides in La Tour-de-Peilz, about 90 km northeast of Geneva across Lake Geneva.[2] [3]

Retirement life

Maleeva has been active in politics back in her home country, being one of the founding members of Yes, Bulgaria! which was founded in 2017. The party focuses on institutional reforms and an anti-corruption agenda.[4] [5] [6] Prior to that, she also advocated the 2015 Bulgarian electoral code referendum.[7] [1]

Outside politics, Maleeva is also active in her foundation, Fondation Swissclinical, which she co-founded in 2008.[8] The foundation focuses on helping handicapped children and children in need by providing them with good medical care and long-term support.[3] [1]

Major finals

Grand Slam tournament finals

Mixed Doubles: 1 (1 title)

Olympics

Singles: 1 bronze medal

Maleeva-Fragnière lost in the semifinals to Gabriela Sabatini 1–6, 2–6. In 1988, there was no bronze medal play-off match; both beaten semifinal players received bronze medals.

Performance timelines

Singles

Tournament SR W-L Win%
Grand Slam tournaments
Australian Open2RAAQFNH4RAAA2RQF4RQF0 / 718–6
French Open2R3R4RQF3RQF3RQFQF2R3R3RA0 / 1230–12
Wimbledon2R2RQF4R4R2R1RA1RA3R2RA0 / 1016–10
US Open3R3R1R4RQF4RQFQFQF4RSFSFA0 / 1239–12
Win–loss4–45–37–313–49–310–46–38–28–35–313–411–44–10 / 41103–41
Year–end championships
WTA ChampionshipsDid not qualify1R1RQFSFQFQFQF1R1R1RDNQ0 / 106–10
National representation↓  Representing   ↓↓  Representing   ↓
Summer OlympicsNot HeldANot HeldSF-BNot HeldQFNot Held0 / 26–2
Fed CupA1RQFSFQFSFAQFAQF1RAA0 / 1020–9
Career statistics
Titles0051022203121Career total: 19
Finals0065354234221Career total: 37
Year-end ranking60326710869910911N/A$3,244,811

Doubles

Tournament SR W-L Win%
Australian OpenAAA2RNHAAAA3R3R2R3R0 / 58–5
French OpenA1R2R2RQF1R2R2R2R2R1R3RA0 / 1111–11
WimbledonAA1R1R2R1R1RA1RA1R3RA0 / 83–8
US OpenA1R1R2R1R1R1R2R1R1RA1RA0 / 102–10
Win–loss0–00–21–33–44–30–31–32–21–33–32–35–42–10 / 3424–34
Career statistics
Titles0001010001010Career total: 4
Finals0002120002040Career total: 11
Year-end rankingN/AN/AN/AN/A454712872893426117N/A$3,244,811

WTA career finals

Singles: 37 (19 titles, 18 runner-ups)

Legend
Grand Slam tournaments (0–0)
Tier I (1–1)
Tier II (0–0)
Tier III (3–4)
Tier IV (3–2)
Tier V / Virginia Slims (12–11)
Finals by surface
Hard (4–2)
Clay (6–6)
Grass (0–1)
Carpet (9–9)
ResultW–LDateTournamentTierSurfaceOpponentScore
Loss0–1Houston, United StatesVirginia SlimsCarpet (i) Hana Mandlíková4–6, 2–6
Win1–1Lugano, SwitzerlandVirginia SlimsClay Iva Budařová6–1, 6–1
Win2–1Perugia, ItalyVirginia SlimsClay Chris Evert6–3, 6–3
Win3–1Indianapolis, United StatesVirginia SlimsClay Lisa Bonder6–4, 6–3
Win4–1Tokyo, JapanVirginia SlimsCarpet (i) Hana Mandlíková6–1, 1–6, 6–4
Win5–1Tokyo, JapanVirginia SlimsCarpet (i) Claudia Kohde-Kilsch3–6, 6–4, 6–4
Loss5–2Washington, United StatesVirginia SlimsCarpet (i) Martina Navratilova3–6, 2–6
Loss5–3Lugano, SwitzerlandVirginia SlimsClay Bonnie Gadusek2–6, 2–6
Loss5–4Brighton, Great BritainVirginia SlimsCarpet (i) Chris Evert5–7, 3–6
Loss5–5Tokyo, JapanVirginia SlimsCarpet (i) Chris Evert5–7, 0–6
Win6–5Tokyo, JapanVirginia SlimsCarpet (i) Bonnie Gadusek7–6(7–2), 3–6, 7–5
Loss6–6Lugano, SwitzerlandVirginia SlimsClay Raffaella Reggi7–5, 3–6, 6–7(6–8)
Loss6–7Birmingham, Great BritainVirginia SlimsGrass Pam Shriver2–6, 6–7(0–7)
Loss6–8Tokyo, JapanVirginia SlimsCarpet (i) Steffi Graf4–6, 2–6
Win7–8Wild Dunes, United StatesVirginia SlimsClay Raffaella Reggi5–7, 6–2, 6–3
Loss7–9Hilton Head, United StatesVirginia SlimsClay Steffi Graf2–6, 6–4, 3–6
Loss7–10Geneva, SwitzerlandVirginia SlimsClay Chris Evert3–6, 6–4, 2–6
Win8–10Mahwah, United StatesVirginia SlimsHard Sylvia Hanika1–6, 6–4, 6–1
Loss8–11Tokyo, JapanVirginia SlimsCarpet (i) Gabriela Sabatini4–6, 6–7(6–8)
Win9–11Wichita, United StatesTier VHard (i) Sylvia Hanika7–6(7–5), 7–5
Win10–11Phoenix, United StatesTier VHard Dinky Van Rensburg6–3, 4–6, 6–2
Loss10–12Zurich, SwitzerlandTier IVCarpet (i) Pam Shriver3–6, 4–6
Loss10–13Brighton, Great BritainTier IIICarpet (i) Steffi Graf2–6, 0–6
Win11–13Indian Wells, United StatesTier IIIHard Jenny Byrne6–4, 6–1
Win12–13Geneva, SwitzerlandTier VClay Conchita Martínez6–4, 6–0
Loss12–14Chicago, United StatesTier ICarpet (i) Martina Navratilova3–6, 2–6
Loss12–15San Antonio, United StatesTier IIIHard Monica Seles4–6, 3–6
Loss12–16San Diego, United StatesTier IIIHard Steffi Graf3–6, 2–6
Win13–16Linz, AustriaTier VCarpet (i) Petra Langrová6–4, 7–6(7–1)
Loss13–17Barcelona, SpainTier IIIClay Conchita Martínez4–6, 1–6
Win14–17Geneva, SwitzerlandTier IVClay Helen Kelesi6–3, 3–6, 6–3
Win15–17Bayonne, FranceTier IVCarpet (i) Leila Meskhi4–6, 6–3, 6–4
Loss15–18Kitzbühel, AustriaTier IVClay Conchita Martínez0–6, 6–3, 2–6
Win16–18Bayonne, FranceTier IVCarpet (i) Nathalie Tauziat6–7(4–7), 6–2, 6–3
Win17–18Linz, AustriaTier IIICarpet (i) Conchita Martínez6–2, 1–0 ret.
Win18–18Zurich, SwitzerlandTier ICarpet (i) Martina Navratilova6–3, 7–6(7–1)
Win19–18Osaka, JapanTier IIICarpet (i) Iva Majoli6–1, 4–6, 7–5

Doubles: 11 (4 titles, 7 runner–ups)

Legend
Grand Slam tournaments (0–0)
Tier I (0–0)
Tier II (1–2)
Tier III (0–1)
Tier IV (0–1)
Tier V / Virginia Slims (3–3)
Finals by surface
Hard (0–1)
Clay (3–3)
Grass (0–0)
Carpet (1–3)
ResultW–LDateTournamentTierSurfacePartnerOpponentsScore
Loss0–1Houston, United StatesVirginia SlimsClay Helena Suková1–6, 6–3, 3–6
Win1–1Indianapolis, United StatesVirginia SlimsClay Katerina Maleeva Penny Barg
Paula Smith		3–6, 6–3, 6–4
Loss1–2Tokyo, JapanVirginia SlimsCarpet (i) Katerina Maleeva Bettina Bunge
Steffi Graf		1–6, 7–6(7–4), 2–6
Win2–2Knokke, BelgiumVirginia SlimsClay Bettina Bunge4–6, 6–4, 6–4
Loss2–3Tokyo, JapanVirginia SlimsCarpet (i) Katerina Maleeva Anne White
Robin White		1–6, 2–6
Win3–3Linz, AustriaTier VCarpet (i) Raffaella Reggi6–4, 1–6, 6–3
Loss3–4Geneva, SwitzerlandTier IVClay Cathy Caverzasio1–6, 2–6
Loss3–5Osaka, JapanTier IIICarpet (i) Magdalena Maleeva Jana Novotná
Larisa Neiland		1–6, 3–6
Win4–5Amelia Island, United StatesTier IIClay Leila Meskhi3–6, 6–3, 6–4
Loss4–6Barcelona, SpainTier IIClay Magdalena Maleeva Conchita Martínez
Arantxa Sánchez Vicario		6–4, 1–6, 0–6
Loss4–7Stratton Mountain, United StatesTier IIHard Mercedes Paz Elizabeth Smylie
Helena Suková		1–6, 2–6

ITF Circuit finals

Singles: 4 (2 titles, 2 runner–ups)

Legend
$100,000 tournaments
$75,000 tournaments
$50,000 tournaments
$25,000 tournaments
$10,000 tournaments
Finals by surface
Hard (0–0)
Clay (2–2)
Grass (0–0)
Carpet (0–0)
ResultW–LDateTournamentTierSurfaceOpponentScore
Loss0–1ITF Caserta, Italy 10,000Clay Hana Fukárková4–6, 1–6
Win1–1ITF Lecce, Italy 10,000Clay Elizabeth Smylie6–4, 6–4
Win2–1ITF Catania, Italy10,000Clay Gabriela Dinu6–3, 6–1
Loss2–2ITF Båstad, Sweden10,000Clay Lena Sandin7–6, 5–7, 3–6

Doubles: 3 (3 titles)

Legend
$100,000 tournaments
$75,000 tournaments
$50,000 tournaments
$25,000 tournaments
$10,000 tournaments
Finals by surface
Hard (0–0)
Clay (3–0)
Grass (0–0)
Carpet (0–0)
ResultW–LDateTournamentTierSurfacePartnerOpponentsScore
Win1–0ITF Taranto, Italy 10,000Clay Renata Šašak Catrin Jexell
Isabelle Villaverde		7–5, 3–6, 6–2
Win2–0ITF Lecce, Italy10,000Clay Renata Šašak Lena Sandin
Elisabeth Ekblom		6–2, 2–6, 8–6
Win3–0ITF Sofia, Bulgaria25,000Clay Katerina Maleeva Yvona Brzáková
Hana Fukárková		6–1, 6–2

Junior Grand Slam tournament finals

Singles: 1 (1 title)

Fed Cup

Manuela Maleeva debuted for the Bulgaria Fed Cup team in 1983. She has a 21–5 singles record and a 7–10 doubles record (28–15 overall).

Singles (21–5)

EditionRoundDateAgainstSurfaceOpponentW/LResult
bgcolor=#efefef rowspan=31983 World Group IR117 July 1983Clay Christiane Jolissaintbgcolor=#FFA07A align=centerL4–6, 6–4, 4–6
PO19 July 1983 Angela Longobgcolor=#98FB98 align=centerW6–1, 6–0
PO21 July 1983 Olga Zaitsevabgcolor=#98FB98 align=centerW6–0, 6–3
bgcolor=#efefef rowspan=31984 World Group IR115 July 1984Clay Jo Duriebgcolor=#98FB98 align=centerW6–4, 4–6, 6–4
R216 July 1984 Natasha Revabgcolor=#98FB98 align=centerW6–2, 6–0
QF18 July 1984 Mima Jaušovecbgcolor=#98FB98 align=centerW3–6, 6–3, 6–1
bgcolor=#efefef rowspan=41985 World Group IR16 October 1985Hard Larisa Savchenkobgcolor=#98FB98 align=centerW6–7(3–7), 6–4, 6–1
R28 October 1985 Sabrina Golešbgcolor=#98FB98 align=centerW6–1, 6–3
QF10 October 1985 Annabel Croftbgcolor=#98FB98 align=centerW6–2, 6–2
SF12 October 1985 Hana Mandlíkovábgcolor=#FFA07A align=centerL6–3, 2–6, 1–6
bgcolor=#efefef rowspan=31986 World Group IR120 July 1986Clay Larisa Savchenkobgcolor=#98FB98 align=centerW6–2, 6–1
R221 July 1986 Catherine Tanvierbgcolor=#98FB98 align=centerW6–0, 6–1
QF23 July 1986 Claudia Kohde-Kilschbgcolor=#98FB98 align=centerW6–4, 6–2
bgcolor=#efefef rowspan=41987 World Group IR126 July 1987Hard Angeliki Kanellopouloubgcolor=#98FB98 align=centerW6–0, 6–0
R227 July 1987 Yayuk Basukibgcolor=#98FB98 align=centerW6–4, 6–0
QF29 July 1987 Elizabeth Smyliebgcolor=#98FB98 align=centerW6–4, 6–4
SF31 July 1987 Chris Evertbgcolor=#FFA07A align=centerL2–6, 6–2, 4–6
bgcolor=#efefef rowspan=31989 World Group IR11 October 1989Hard Kim Il-soonbgcolor=#98FB98 align=centerW6–1, 6–0
R23 October 1989 Mercedes Pazbgcolor=#98FB98 align=centerW4–6, 6–1, 6–3
QF5 October 1989 Anne Minterbgcolor=#FFA07A align=centerL3–6, 6–2, 4–6
↓  Representing   ↓
bgcolor=#efefef rowspan=31991 World Group IR123 July 1991Hard Mercedes Pazbgcolor=#98FB98 align=centerW6–0, 7–6(7–5)
R224 July 1991 Li Fangbgcolor=#98FB98 align=centerW6–7(5–7), 7–5, 6–2
QF25 July 1991 Jana Novotnábgcolor=#FFA07A align=centerL4–6, 4–6
bgcolor=#efefef rowspan=31992 World Group IR114 July 1992Clay Catarina Lindqvistbgcolor=#98FB98 align=centerW6–0, 6–2
PO16 July 1992 Anna Smashnovabgcolor=#98FB98 align=centerW6–1, 6–0
PO17 July 1992 Rossana de los Ríosbgcolor=#98FB98 align=centerW6–2, 6–2

Doubles (7–10)

EditionRoundDatePartnerAgainstSurfaceOpponentsW/LResult
bgcolor=#efefef rowspan=21983 World Group IPO19 July 1983 Marina KondovaClay Angela Longo
Lindsay Standen		bgcolor=#98FB98 align=centerW6–4, 6–2
PO21 July 1983 Adriana Velchevabgcolor=#FFA07A align=centerL4–6, 3–6
bgcolor=#efefef rowspan=31984 World Group IR115 July 1984 Katerina MaleevaClay Amanda Brown
Anne Hobbs		bgcolor=#98FB98 align=centerW7–6, 7–5
R216 July 1984 Katerina Maleevabgcolor=#FFA07A align=centerL7–5, 5–7, 1–6
QF18 July 1984 Katerina Maleevabgcolor=#FFA07A align=centerL3–6, 1–6
bgcolor=#efefef rowspan=41985 World Group IR16 October 1985 Katerina MaleevaHard Natalia Egorova
Svetlana Cherneva		bgcolor=#98FB98 align=centerW6–3, 7–5
R28 October 1985 Katerina Maleeva Sabrina Goleš
Aila Winkler		bgcolor=#98FB98 align=centerW6–4, 7–6(9–7)
QF10 October 1985Katerina Maleevabgcolor=#FFA07A align=centerL4–5, Ret.
SF12 October 1985 Katerina Maleevabgcolor=#FFA07A align=centerL3–6, 6–7(4–7)
bgcolor=#efefef rowspan=21986 World Group IR120 July 1986 Katerina MaleevaClaybgcolor=#FFA07A align=centerL6–1, 4–6, 1–6
QF23 July 1986 Katerina Maleevabgcolor=#FFA07A align=centerL4–6, 2–6
bgcolor=#efefef rowspan=31989 World Group IR11 October 1989 Katerina MaleevaHardbgcolor=#98FB98 align=centerW7–5, 6–0
R23 October 1989 Katerina Maleevabgcolor=#98FB98 align=centerW6–1, 3–6, 6–1
QF5 October 1989 Katerina Maleevabgcolor=#FFA07A align=centerL7–5, 4–6, 0–6
↓  Representing   ↓
bgcolor=#efefef rowspan=21991 World Group IR224 July 1991 Cathy CaverzasioHard Li Fang
Yi Jing-Qian		bgcolor=#FFA07A align=centerL1–3, Ret.
QF25 July 1991 Cathy Caverzasiobgcolor=#98FB98 align=centerW6–4, 2–1, Ret.
1992 World Group IR114 July 1992 Michèle StrebelClaybgcolor=#FFA07A align=centerL4–6, 7–5, 4–6

Record against other top players

Maleeva's win–loss record against certain players who have been ranked world No. 10 or higher is as follows:

Players who have been ranked world No. 1 are in boldface.

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: VAVEL Exclusive: 'I have things in my life that make me happy, and where I feel useful' – Catching Up with Manuela Maleeva Part II. 2020-11-07.
  2. News: VAVEL Exclusive: 'I was just a steady player. I was a top 10 for almost 10 years' – Catching Up with Manuela Maleeva Part I. 2020-10-31.
  3. News: Manuela Maleeva-Fragnière, ancienne championne de tennis. 2017-02-28.
  4. News: Ex-Justice Min Heads Yes, Bulgaria Party, Vowing to Fight Corruption – Novinite.com – Sofia News Agency. 2017-05-16.
  5. News: Anti-corruption party launches in Bulgaria as election approaches. https://web.archive.org/web/20201022152951/https://de.reuters.com/article/us-bulgaria-politics-idUSKBN14R0I6. dead. 22 October 2020. 2017-01-08.
  6. News: New Bulgarian Party Vows to 'Break System'. 2017-01-09.
  7. News: Bulgaria holds referendum on electronic voting. 2015-10-19.
  8. News: Fondation Swissclinical. 2020-11-02.

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