Yannick Noah

Yannick Noah (b. May 18 1960 in Sedan, France) is a former professional tennis player from France. He is best remembered for winning the men's singles title at the French Open in 1983 and as a highly-successful captain of France's Davis Cup and Fed Cup teams. Since his retirement from the game, Noah has remained in the public eye as a popular music performer and as the founder of a charity organization for underprivileged children.

Related Topics:
May 18 - 1960 - Sedan - France - Tennis - French Open - 1983 - Davis Cup - Fed Cup - Music - Charity

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Noah turned professional in 1977, and won his first top-level singles title in 1978 in Manila.

Related Topics:
1977 - 1978 - Manila

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Noah became France's most prominent tennis hero in 1983, becoming the first Frenchman in 37 years to win the French Open. He dropped only one set during the fortnight-long tournament, and defeated the defending-champion Mats Wilander in straight sets in the final 6–2, 7–5, 7–6. Noah also became only the second black male to win a Grand Slam singles event (after Arthur Ashe).

Related Topics:
French Open - Mats Wilander - Black - Grand Slam - Arthur Ashe

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During his 12-year career, Noah captured a total of 23 singles titles and 16 doubles titles. His career-high singles ranking was World No. 3 in 1986.

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Noah won the French Open men's doubles title in 1984 (with compatriot Henri Leconte). He was also the men's doubles runner-up at the 1985 US Open (with Leconte), and the 1987 French Open (with compatriot Guy Forget). In August 1986, Noah attained the World No. 1 doubles ranking, which he would hold for a total of 19 weeks. He remains the last native to have won the French Open men's singles championships.

Related Topics:
1984 - Henri Leconte - 1985 - US Open - 1987 - Guy Forget

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Noah played on France's Davis Cup team for eleven years, with an overall win-loss record of 39–22 (26–15 singles and 13–7 doubles). In 1982, he was part of the French team which reached the Davis Cup final, where they were defeated 4–1 by the United States.

Related Topics:
1982 - United States

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Nine years later, in 1991, Noah captained the French team which won the Davis Cup for first time in 59 years, defeating a heavily-favoured US team 3–1 in the final. This feat was repeated in 1996 (where France defeated Sweden 3–2 in the final).

Related Topics:
1991 - 1996 - Sweden

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In 1997, Noah captained France's Fed Cup team to its first-ever victory in that competition.

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Since retiring from playing tennis, Noah has developed a career as a popular singer, performing throughout Europe. He began his music career in 1993 with the album Urban Tribu, featuring the popular track "Saga Africa". In collaboration with Jean-Jacques Goldman, he released a second album in 2000 entitled simply Yannick Noah. He performed for Bob Geldof's Live 8 concert, a fundraiser for driving out poverty from Africa.

Related Topics:
Europe - 1993 - Jean-Jacques Goldman - 2000 - Bob Geldof - Live 8

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Noah is also very active in charity work, having created 'Enfants de la Terre' and 'Fête le Mur', a tennis association for underprivileged children.

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Noah was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island, USA in 2005.

Related Topics:
International Tennis Hall of Fame - Newport - Rhode Island - 2005

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