Began playing when 6 years old...Was coached by husband Francois Fragniere...Married Francois Fragniere November 28, 1987; he formerly coached the Swiss junior boys team and was a highly ranked Swiss player; mother, Youlia Berberian, was national champion of Bulgaria nine times and father, George, is an electronics professor who played basketball for the Bulgarian National Team; has two sisters, Katerina and Magdalena (Maggie) who also play on the tour...Enjoys movies, classic novels, horseback riding, snow skiing and ice skating...Considers her greatest obstacle was coming from a country that was unknown for its tennis feats....Career highlights, in her own words, Were 'winning bronze medal at 1988 Olympics and first-time defeat of Martina Navratilova.'
• Made 41 Grand Slam singles appearances• Had 477 match victories during career, a match-wins percentage of .718• Earned a spot in season-ending championships every year from 1985-93• Had career wins over Navratilova, Evert, Sabatini, MJ Fernandez, Sanchez Vicario, Novotna and Garrison1994• 1992 Tennis Magazine Comeback Player of the Year and 1984 WTA Tour Most Impressive Newcomer Award• In 1982, won Roland Garros Juniors and European 18s• In 1981, won Orange Bowl 14s
SINGLESWinner (19): 1994 - Osaka; 1993 - Linz, Zurich; 1992 - Bayonne; 1991 - Linz, European Open, Bayonne; 1989 - Indian Wells, European Open; 1988 - Wichita, Phoenix; 1987 - Mahwah, Charleston; 1985 - Tokyo [Pan Pacific]; 1984 - US Clay Courts, Tokyo [Pan Pacific], Italian Open, Tokyo [Lions Cup], Swiss Open.DOUBLESWinner (4): 1993 - Amelia Island (w/Meskhi); 1991 - Linz (w/Reggi); 1987 - Belgian Open (w/Bunge); 1985 - US Clay Courts (w/K. Maleeva).MIXED DOUBLESWinner (1): 1984 - US Open (w/Ti. Gulikson).ADDITIONALBulgarian Olympic Team 1988. Swiss Olympic Team 1992. Bulgarian Fed Cup Team 1983-87, 89. Swiss Fed Cup Team 1991-92.
1988 - Bronze Medal winner in singles at 1988 Seoul Olympics1990 - Roland Garros marked first time in tennis history that three sisters appeared in main draw of a Grand Slam event; marked second time Manuela and Katerina both reached QF of same Grand Slam event, first time being at 1988 US Open; when sister Magdalena won San Marino in 1992, became first trio of sisters to all win professional tennis tournaments1992 - Made tennis history with two sisters when all three ranked in world's Top 15; d. Probst at Barcelona QF to reach 400-mark in match wins (19th player to do so)1993 - Made Grand Slam history with sisters Katerina and Magdalena by all being seeded at 1993 Australian Open, Roland Garros and Wimbledon; also made tennis history by becoming the first three sisters to reach 4r of the same Grand Slam tournament (Roland Garros); repeated feat at US Open; d. Navratilova in final of Zurich; first win over Navratilova in last five matches; tore a tendon and chipped a bone in little finger of left hand when catching a ball during warm-ups for 1r US Open doubles match; was still able to upset C. Martinez in 4r and Date in QF before falling to Graf in SF1994 - Last tournament competition was at Osaka, which she won (19th career singles title) by d. Majoli 61 46 75 in final
3
1985/02/04
11
1993/08/02
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