One-Slam Wonders: When Albert Costa knocked out his best man en route to French Open title

Spain has always been blessed with talented clay-court players and it is no surprise that a Spaniard has won the French Open in 16 of the last 25 editions.
Of course, Rafael Nadal has dominated as he has lifted the Coupe des Mousquetaires 10 times while the likes of Juan Carlos Ferrero, Carlos Moya and Sergi Bruguera also got their hands on the trophy.
One player who seems to be the odd one out is Albert Costa, the man who was crowned champion at Roland Garros in 2003.
It was without a doubt his finest moment on a tennis court as he only made it past the quarter-final stage of a Grand Slam on one other occasion: the year he defended his French Open title.
“Expectations were not so high that year because I was not in the top favourites,” he told Tennis Channel years later. “But I was playing so good, and I was feeling ready to play the tournament.”
The who’s who of tennis at the time were all in the draw with Lleyton Hewitt the top seed, while Marat Safin, Andre Agassi, defending champion Gustavo Kuerten, Ferrero, Pete Sampras and Moya were also in the draw.
Costa was seeded a lowly 20th and his journey started with a tough four-set win over up and coming Frenchman Richard Gasquet, who actually won the Boys’ title that year, and he followed it up with three-set victories over Nikolay Davydenko and Andrea Gaudenzi.
That earned him a fourth-round encounter against Keurten, but instead of buckling under pressure he sent the Brazilian, who was struggling with a hip injury, packing with a 6-4, 7-5, 6-4 scoreline.
The 15th seeded Guillermo Canas proved to be a tougher opponent as the Argentinian took it to five sets before going down 7-5, 3-6, 7-6 (7-3), 6-4, 6-0.
It was all-Spanish affair in the semi-final as he faced Alex Corretja, the man who was going to be his best man at his wedding the following week.
But he brushed his friend aside as he moved into his first, and last, Grand Slam final with a 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 victory.
“It’s going to be a great moment, but for the moment I don’t want to think too much about the wedding,” he said after the match.
The Spanish affair continued in the final as Ferrero awaited him.
“I think it’s a party. It’s a Spanish party in the final,” Ferrero said after he beat Safin in his semi-final.
“I don’t think anybody’s the favourite.”
And it was Costa who enjoyed the party the most as he won 6-1, 6-0, 4-6, 6-3.
“I don’t know what happened but in the final I just played really, really well,” he said.
He added: “I would have never dared to dream about winning a Grand Slam one day.”
Costa made an excellent defence of his title the following year as he reached the semi-finals before Ferrero avenged defeat.
But it was the crowning moment of his career as he didn’t win another title after his 2002 French Open success and retired in 2006.
Latest
-
ATP Tour
Holger Rune thrilled to get off the scorching Hard Rock Stadium court
Holger Rune was happy to get out of the Miami heat.
-
News
On this day: Kim Clijsters announces return to tennis
Clijsters made her grand slam comeback at the US Open and went on to lift the trophy.
-
ATP Tour
Watch: Novak Djokovic hits the clay ahead of Monte Carlo return
Check out Novak Djokovic training on clay.
-
WTA Tour
Watch: Jelena Ostapenko calls out ‘disrespectful’ crowd
Jelena Ostapenko claimed it was like a football match.
-
ATP Tour
Cameron Norrie refuses to blame injury for Miami Open exit
Cameron Norrie required treatment for an ankle injury.
-
ATP Tour
Hubert Hurkacz comes through epic battle with Thanasi Kokkinakis
Hubert Hurkacz won a match that stands as the longest three-setter of the season to date.
-
Tennis News
Elena Rybakina downs Paula Badosa in instant classic
Elena Rybakina keeps coming up with the goods.
-
Tennis News
WATCH: ‘Greek god’ Marton Fucsovics takes shirt off to reveal ripped body
Marton Fucsovics shows off his muscles again.
-
WTA Tour
Aryna Sabalenka eyes Iga Swiatek’s No 1 spot – Why Sabalenka could usurp the Pole in the coming months
Aryna Sabalenka’s world No 1 goal could be within touching distance.
-
ATP Tour
What Novak Djokovic needs to do to be top seed at French Open
Novak Djokovic has a big chance to be back at No 1 in time for the French Open.