Facts: The Life and Times of Andres Jimeno
- Jimeno wins Roland Garros as a junior in 1955
Andres Jimeno, born in 1937, was one of the first Spanish players to play at international level, along with Manolo Santana. After winning the junior tournament at Roland Garros in 1955, he reached the quarterfinals of the men’s tournament in 1960 (lost to Nicola Pietrangeli, 6–3, 6–1, 3–6, 6–2). That same year, Jimeno signed a contract with Jack Cramer to become a tour professional, and thus he could not compete in any Grand Slam events for the next eight years.
According to tennis expert Bud Collins, Jimeno was “a smooth groundstroker, a good server and cool under fire.” He was also appreciated by his peers and the public for his sense of humor. Robert Lipsight, from: The New York Times, Wrote, “the classic petting retriever, Jimeno (was) the ultimate wall that gives it all back.”
- The Spaniard joins the ranks of professionals
During the 1960s, Jimeno spent most of his time as a tour professional, facing the best players of his time. At his peak, he was even considered the third best player in the world, behind Australian legends Rod Lever and Ken Rosewall, both of whom he beat several times. The Spaniard reached the finals of three major professional tournaments: the French Pro in 1962 (losing to Rosewall 3-6, 6-2, 7-5, 6-2), the London Pro in 1965 (losing to Laver 6-2, 6-3, 6-4), and finally the US Pro again in 1964-6, 6, 1967 (Laver). 6-3, 7-5).
When the Open Era began in 1968, Jimeno, who was already 30 years old, reached the semifinals at Roland Garros (losing to Rosewall, 3-6, 6-3, 7-5, 3-6, 6-3). Although he was still playing in the Lamar Hunt National Tennis League, he finished runner-up at the 1969 Australian Open (lost to Rod Laver 6-3, 6-4, 7-5) and in the 1970 Wimbledon semifinals (lost to John Newcombe 6-3, 8-06, 6-3, 8-06). In 1971, he did not perform very well at any of the majors, and although some thought he was on the decline at age 33, he was still considered by many to be one of the best clay court players in the world.
- Jimeno wins Roland Garros at age 34
However, Jimeno achieved the greatest feat of his career in 1972, at the age of 34, when he became the oldest player ever to win Roland-Garros. In the quarter-finals (6-1, 7-9, 6-0, 7-5) Stan Smith, then world number 1, the Spaniard defeated Frenchman Patrick Proizi (4-6, 6-3, 6-1, 6-1) in the final.
Ginnemo’s victory at Roland Garros in 1972 remained his last major achievement as a tennis player. He retired from the sport in 1973 before opening a tennis club in Spain that produced a new generation of clay court talent. Two-time Roland Garros runner-up Alex Correjta attended Jimeno’s tennis camps as a young player.
- Jimeno enters the Tennis Hall of Fame, but faces a tough end
Entering Tennis Hall of Fame In 2009, Jimeno announced two years later that he had lost almost all of his money due to the Spanish economic crisis. A group of Spanish players, including Rafael Nadal and David Ferrer, raised money for him by playing in an exhibition tournament.
On October 9, 2019, Andres Jimeno died of cancer at the age of 82. His record at Roland Garros stood until 2022, when Rafael Nadal won the title for the 14th time at the age of 36 years and two days. Novak Djokovic then set a new record when he won the title for the third time in 2023 at the age of 36 years and 20 days.
Oldest Grand Slam Champions in the Open Era
- WimbledonRoger Federer (35 years, 11 months) 2017
- US OpenKen Rosewall (35 years, 10 months) 1970
