Steven Downs

Steven Downs (born 8 September 1975) is a former professional tennis player from New Zealand.

Steven Downs
Full nameSteven Downs
Country (sports) New Zealand
Born (1975-09-08) 8 September 1975
Auckland, New Zealand
Turned pro1994
Retired1997
Prize money$50,607
Singles
Career record4–8
Career titles0
Highest rankingNo. 279 (10 July 1995)
Doubles
Career record0–4
Career titles0
Highest rankingNo. 201 (10 April 1995)

Biography

Downs was a leading international junior, who was the world number one doubles player in 1993 and designated ITF World Champion. He reached a final at all four Grand Slam tournaments in 1993. With partner James Greenhalgh, he won two boys' doubles titles, the French Open and Wimbledon Championships.[1] Downs, who played cricket for Auckland up to the Under 14s, made the singles final at the Australian Open and was runner-up to Marcelo Ríos at the US Open, for a year-end number five ranking.[2]

Following his junior success in 1993, Downs turned professional and in 1994 made his first ATP Tour tournament in Auckland. Every year from 1994 to 1997 he featured in the main draw of the Auckland Open. In 1995 he made the round of 16, with a win over the world's 45th-ranked player, Fabrice Santoro.[3]

During his career he participated in three ties for the New Zealand Davis Cup team. In 1995 he made his debut in a tie against Chinese Taipei in Wellington and won both of his singles matches, in a 5–0 whitewash.[4] He was called up again when New Zealand played a World Group qualifier that year in Hamilton, against Switzerland. His first singles match was the opening rubber of the tie, a loss to Marc Rosset.[5] When he and Alistair Hunt lost in the doubles, the tie was lost, although he did win a reverse singles rubber over Jakob Hlasek.[6] In 1996, he played two more singles matches, in a tie against South Korea in Seoul, for losses to Lee Hyung-taik and Yoon Yong-il, but New Zealand still prevailed.[7]

His last ATP Tour appearance in singles came at the 1996 Infiniti Open in Los Angeles, where he lost in the first round to Stefan Edberg.[8] He was runner-up at a Perth Challenger event in 1996.[9] At his peak, Downs was the second-ranked player in New Zealand, behind Brett Steven.[2] A combination of factors, including an elbow injury, brought about an early retirement from professional tennis after the 1997 season.[2][10]

Junior Grand Slam finals

Singles: 2 (0–2)
Outcome No. Year Tournament Surface Opponent Score
Runner-up 1. 1993 Australian Open, Melbourne Hard James Baily 3–6, 2–6
Runner-up 2. 1993 US Open, New York Hard Marcelo Ríos 6–7, 3–6

Doubles: 2 (2–0)
Outcome No. Year Tournament Surface Partner Opponents Score
Winner 1. 1993 French Open, Paris Clay James Greenhalgh Neville Godwin
Gareth Williams		 6–1, 6–1
Winner 2. 1993 Wimbledon, London Grass James Greenhalgh Neville Godwin
Gareth Williams		 6–7, 7–6, 7–5
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See also

References
  1. Tiffen, Rachel (11 November 2010). "'L&P syndrome' hampering Kiwi tennis talent". Newshub. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  2. "Competitive spirit still drives Downs". The Marlborough Express. Stuff.co.nz. 23 January 2009. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  3. "Capriati Withdraws From Australian Open". Los Angeles Times. 11 January 1995. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  4. "Asia-Oceania Zone". Asbury Park Press. 6 February 1995. p. 30. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  5. "US, Germany lead Davis Cup ties". The Canberra Times. 24 September 1995. p. 12. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  6. "Woodies pushed to edge of disaster". The Canberra Times. 25 September 1995. p. 24. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  7. "Davis Cup - Tie - Details". Official Davis Cup website. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  8. "Krajicek Advances At Infiniti". The Moscow Times. 1 August 1996. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  9. "ITF Tennis - Pro Circuit - Perth Challenger - 09 December - 15 December 1996". International Tennis Federation. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  10. "Tennis: Downs shows loss to NZ tennis". The New Zealand Herald. 30 June 2000. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
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