Robin Soderling: A Career Summary of the Swedish Tennis Star
Born on 14th August, 1984, in Tibro, Sweden, Robin Bo Carl Soderling’s love affair with tennis began at the age of five. The Swede’s initiation into the international tennis arena came in 1998 in Luxembourg, when Soderling participated in his initial junior contest aged 14. Year 2000 marked his first complete season in the junior circles, when Soderling booked four tournament wins. The following year, he added three more junior titles to his name and ended the year ranked fourth in the junior standings. The same season, Soderling made his debut onto the ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) circuit, where he defeated Ramon Delgado at the Stockholm event. Soderling turned professional in 2001, and attempted to consolidate his position in the men’s circles the following year by participating in five more ATP events and the U.S. Open.
By 2003, Soderling’s advance to the main tour was ensured, as he made it to the third round at the All England Club Championship and also battled his way to the final of the ATP Stockholm event. The Swede achieved his initial ATP win in 2004 when he defeated Belgium’s Xavier Malisse in the final showdown in Lyon, France. Soderling also advanced to the finals of 2004 Marseille event before concluding the year ranked amongst ATP’s top 50 players. Soderling’s 2005 campaign was blighted by a severe knee injury that forced him to sit out many of the year’s events. However, the Swede nevertheless found it in himself to add another title to his record after overcoming Radek Stepanek in the Milan finals.
The injury ridden Soderling defied his knee and shoulder injury complications to make a comeback into the ATP world rankings top 50 slot in 2006. Although he did not particularly distinguish himself at the year’s Grand Slam events, Soderling still managed to bag several meaningful points and concluded the year ranked number 25 in the world. The Swede’s reasonable form continued during the following 2007 season. He advanced to the Wimbledon round of 32, where he was eventually forced to bow out by Spaniard Rafael Nadal in a five set showdown. Injury once again returned to rule Soderling out of the 2007 main tour for three months, and the fitness woes precluded his participation at the 2008 Australian Open.
Soderling made it to the final of the 2008 ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam, where he eventually lost out to Michael Llodra. The Swede also booked a place at the Regions Morgan Keegan Championship final in Memphis before bowing out to Steve Darcis. Soderling helped his country triumph at the 2008 World Team Cup in Dusseldorf after succeeding at all of his clashes at the event. Soderling then seized victory at the year’s Lyon event after getting the better of Julien Benneteau in the final clash. The Swede had triumphed over the likes of Andy Roddick and Gilles Simon en route to the triumph. He ended the 2008 run ranked 17 in the ATP standings.
At the 2009 French Open Roland Garros, Soderling made waves when he ousted the “King of Clay”, Rafael Nadal, on the Spaniard’s favourite surface. Women’s tennis great Martina Navratilova termed Nadal’s Roland Garros defeat by Soderling as one of the most alarming outcomes in the sport’s history. The Swede then made it all the way to the French Open final, where fellow countryman Roger Federer eventually saw him off. Soderling’s ATP ranking was now at a career-high of number twelve in the world. He then proceeded to take the singles trophy at the 2009 Swedish Open. Soderling also marched all the way to the semifinals of 2009 Malaysian Open and the 2009 China Open. The Swede sealed the 2010 ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament title after defeating Mikhail Youzhny in straight sets. Soderling raised eyebrows after getting the better of the legendary Roger Federer at the French Open quarterfinals. He was then defeated by Rafael Nadal in the final showdown. The Swede, now ranked number 5 in the world, is currently polishing his game for the upcoming U.S. Open event.
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