Manuel Orantes Corral (Spanish pronunciation:[maˈnweloˈɾanteskoˈral]; born 6 February 1949) is a Spanish former professional tennis player. He won 36 career singles titles, including the 1975 US Open, defeating defending champion Jimmy Connors in the final. Orantes reached a career-high singles ranking of world No. 2.

Career

On 7 September 1975 Orantes defeated top-seeded Jimmy Connors in straight sets in the final of the US Open at Forest Hills, New York, where he "destroyed Connors' usually furious attacking game with popcorn balls" to win his only Grand Slam title. A year earlier, he was runner-up to Björn Borg in the final of the French Open, taking a two-set lead before Borg won the last three sets, losing just two games in total.

Overall, he won 36 singles titles, including Rome (1972), Hamburg (1972 & 1975), Canada (1975), Monte Carlo (1975), the U.S. Claycourt Championships (1973, 1975 & 1977), the U.S. Pro in Boston (1977 & 1978) and the Masters in 1976. He also reached 35 finals, including the French Open (1974), Cincinnati (1973), Monte Carlo (1970), Canada (1973 & 1974), Rome (1973 & 1975), and Hamburg (1976 & 1977).

Orantes was a stalwart member of the Spanish Davis Cup team from 1967 to 1980, earning a record of 60–27 in Davis Cup match play. He also was a member of the Spanish team which won the inaugural World Team Cup in 1978.

He also won 22 doubles titles in his career, including Hamburg in 1975 and Canada in 1974. He reached 20 doubles finals, including the French Open in 1978, Canada in 1976, and Hamburg in 1973.

Orantes was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2012.

Grand Slam finals

Singles (1 title, 1 runner-up)

ResultYearChampionshipSurfaceOpponentScore
Loss1974French OpenClaySweden Björn Borg6–2, 7–6(7–1), 0–6, 1–6, 1–6
Win1975US OpenClayUnited States Jimmy Connors6–4, 6–3, 6–3

Doubles (1 runner-up)

ResultYearChampionshipSurfacePartnerOpponentsScore
Loss1978French OpenClaySpain José HiguerasUnited States Gene Mayer United States Hank Pfister3–6, 2–6, 2–6

Other significant finals

Year-end championship

Singles: 1 (1 title)

ResultYearChampionshipSurfaceOpponentScore
Win1976MastersCarpet (i)Poland Wojciech Fibak5–7, 6–2, 0–6, 7–6(7–1), 6–1

Doubles (1 runner-up)

ResultYearChampionshipSurfacePartnerOpponentScore
Win1975MastersCarpet (i)Spain Juan Gisbert Sr.West Germany Jürgen Fassbender West Germany Hans-Jürgen PohmannRound robin

ATP career finals

Singles: 74 (36 titles, 38 runner-ups)

ResultW/LDateTournamentSurfaceOpponentScore
Loss0–1Mar 1968Kingston, JamaicaHard (i)Netherlands Tom Okker2–6, 4–6
Win1–1Sep 1968Madrid, Spain*Hard (i)Spain Manuel Santana6–2, 6–8, 5–7, 6–3, 8–6
Win2–1Feb 1969Macon, U.SCarpet (i)United Kingdom Mark Cox10–8, 7–5, 4–6, 9–7
Win3–1May 1969Barcelona, SpainClaySpain Manuel Santana6–4, 7–5, 6–4
Loss3–2Aug 1969Kitzbühel, AustriaClaySpain Manuel Santana4–6, 2–6, 3–6
Win4–2Sep 1969Madrid, Spain*Hard (i)Australia Barry Philips-Moore8–6, 6–3, 6–1
Loss4–3Apr 1970Monte Carlo, MonacoClaySocialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Željko Franulović4–6, 3–6, 3–6
Loss4–4Nov 1970Buenos Aires, ArgentinaClaySocialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Željko Franulović4–6, 2–6, 0–6
Loss4–5Mar 1971Caracas, VenezuelaClayBrazil Thomaz Koch6–7, 1–6, 3–6
Loss4–6Jul 1971Kitzbühel, AustriaClayUnited States Clark GraebnerAbandoned
Win5–6Oct 1971Barcelona, SpainClayUnited States Bob Lutz6–4, 6–3, 6–4
Win6–6Mar 1972Caracas, VenezuelaHardPakistan Haroon Rahim6–4, 7–5, 6–4
Loss6–7Apr 1972Johannesburg, South AfricaHardUnited States Cliff Richey4–6, 5–7, 6–3, 4–6
Win7–7May 1972Rome, ItalyClayCzechoslovakia Jan Kodeš4–6, 6–1, 7–5, 6–2
Win8–7May 1972Brussels, BelgiumClaySpain Andrés Gimeno6–4, 6–1, 2–6, 7–5
Win9–7Jun 1972Hamburg, West GermanyClayItaly Adriano Panatta6–3, 9–8, 6–0
Win10–7Jul 1972Båstad, SwedenClayRomania Ilie Năstase6–4, 6–3, 6–1
Loss10–8Aug 1972South Orange, U.S.HardRomania Ilie Năstase4–6, 4–6
Loss10–9Oct 1972Barcelona, SpainClayCzechoslovakia Jan Kodeš3–6, 2–6, 3–6
Win11–9Apr 1973Valencia, SpainClayItaly Adriano Panatta6–4, 6–4, 6–3
Win12–9Apr 1973Nice, FranceClayItaly Adriano Panatta7–6, 5–7, 4–6, 7–6, 12–10
Loss12–10Jun 1973Rome, ItalyClayRomania Ilie Năstase1–6, 1–6, 1–6
Loss12–11Jul 1973Båstad, SwedenClayUnited States Stan Smith4–6, 2–6, 6–7
Loss12–12Jul 1973Kitzbühel, AustriaClayMexico Raúl RamírezAbandoned
Win13–12Aug 1973Louisville, U.S.ClayAustralia John Newcombe3–6, 6–3, 6–4
Loss13–13Aug 1973Cincinnati, U.S.ClayRomania Ilie Năstase7–5, 3–6, 4–6
Win14–13Aug 1973Indianapolis, U.S.ClayFrance Georges Goven6–4, 6–1, 6–4
Loss14–14Aug 1973Toronto, CanadaClayNetherlands Tom Okker3–6, 2–6, 1–6
Loss14–15Oct 1973Barcelona, SpainClayRomania Ilie Năstase6–2, 1–6, 6–8, 4–6
Loss14–16Jun 1974French Open, ParisClaySweden Björn Borg6–2, 7–6, 0–6, 1–6, 1–6
Loss14–17Jul 1974Gstaad, SwitzerlandClayArgentina Guillermo Vilas1–6, 2–6
Loss14–18Aug 1974Toronto, CanadaClayArgentina Guillermo Vilas4–6, 2–6, 3–6
Loss14–19Oct 1974Barcelona, SpainClayRomania Ilie Năstase6–8, 7–9, 3–6
Loss14–20Nov 1974Buenos Aires, ArgentinaClayArgentina Guillermo Vilas3–6, 6–0, 5–7, 2–6
Win15–20Mar 1975Cairo, EgyptClayFrance François Jauffret6–0, 4–6, 6–1, 6–3
Win16–20Mar 1975Monte Carlo WCT, MonacoClaySouth Africa Bob Hewitt6–2, 6–4
Loss16–21Apr 1975Valencia, SpainClayRomania Ilie Năstase3–6, 0–6
Loss16–22Apr 1975Madrid-2, SpainClayRomania Ilie Năstase6–7, 1–6, 6–2, 3–6
Win17–22May 1975Bournemouth, UKClayFrance Patrick Proisy6–3, 4–6, 6–2, 7–5
Win18–22May 1975Hamburg, West GermanyClayCzechoslovakia Jan Kodeš3–6, 6–2, 6–2, 4–6, 6–1
Loss18–23Jun 1975Rome, ItalyClayMexico Raúl Ramírez6–7, 5–7, 5–7
Win19–23Jul 1975Båstad, SwedenClaySpain José Higueras6–0, 6–3
Win20–23Aug 1975Indianapolis, U.S.ClayUnited States Arthur Ashe6–2, 6–2
Win21–23Aug 1975Toronto, CanadaClayRomania Ilie Năstase7–6, 6–0, 6–1
Win22–23Sep 1975US Open, New YorkClayUnited States Jimmy Connors6–4, 6–3, 6–3
Loss22–24Nov 1975Tokyo, JapanClayMexico Raúl Ramírez4–6, 5–7, 3–6
Loss22–25Nov 1975Calcutta, IndiaClayIndia Vijay Amritraj5–7, 3–6
Win23–25Mar 1976Valencia, SpainClaySweden Kjell Johansson6–2, 6–2, 6–2
Win24–25May 1976Munich, West GermanyClayWest Germany Karl Meiler6–1, 6–4, 6–1
Loss24–26May 1976Bournemouth, UKClayPoland Wojciech Fibak2–6, 9–7, 2–6, 2–6
Loss24–27May 1976Hamburg, West GermanyClayUnited States Eddie Dibbs4–6, 6–4, 1–6, 6–2, 1–6
Loss24–28May 1976Düsseldorf, West GermanyClaySweden Björn Borg2–6, 2–6, 0–6
Loss22–29Jul 1976Pepsi Grand Slam, U.S.ClayRomania Ilie Năstase4–6, 3–6
Win25–29Jul 1976Kitzbühel, AustriaClayCzechoslovakia Jan Kodeš7–6, 6–2, 7–6
Win26–29Oct 1976Tehran, IranClayMexico Raúl Ramírez7–6, 6–0, 2–6, 6–4
Win27–29Oct 1976Madrid, SpainClayUnited States Eddie Dibbs7–6, 6–2, 6–1
Win28–29Oct 1976Barcelona, SpainClayUnited States Eddie Dibbs6–1, 2–6, 2–6, 7–5, 6–4
Loss28–30Nov 1976London, UKCarpetMexico Raúl Ramírez3–6, 4–6
Loss28–31Nov 1976Stockholm, SwedenHard (i)United Kingdom Mark Cox6–4, 5–7, 6–7
Win29–31Dec 1976Masters, HoustonCarpetPoland Wojciech Fibak5–7, 6–2, 0–6, 7–6, 6–1
Loss29–32May 1977Hamburg, West GermanyClayItaly Paolo Bertolucci3–6, 6–4, 2–6, 3–6
Loss29–33Aug 1977North Conway, U.S.ClayAustralia John Alexander6–2, 4–6, 4–6
Win30–33Aug 1977Indianapolis, U.S.ClayUnited States Jimmy Connors6–1, 6–3
Win31–33Aug 1977Boston, U.S.ClayUnited States Eddie Dibbs7–6, 7–5, 6–4
Loss31–33Oct 1977Barcelona, SpainClaySweden Björn Borg2–6, 5–7, 2–6
Win32–34Nov 1977Tokyo Outdoor, JapanClayAustralia Kim Warwick6–2, 6–1
Loss32–35Nov 1977Manila, PhilippinesHardWest Germany Karl MeilerDEF
Win33–35Aug 1978Boston, U.S.ClayUnited States Harold Solomon6–4, 6–3
Win34–35May 1979Munich, West GermanyClayPoland Wojciech Fibak6–3, 6–2, 6–4
Loss34–36Sep 1979Madrid, SpainClayFrance Yannick Noah3–6, 7–6, 3–6, 2–6
Loss34–37Mar 1980Nice, FranceClaySweden Björn Borg2–6, 0–6, 1–6
Win35–37Sep 1981Palermo, ItalyClayChile Pedro Rebolledo6–4, 6–0, 6–0
Win36–37Apr 1982Bournemouth, UKClaySpain Ángel Giménez6–2, 6–0
Loss36–38Mar 1983Nice, FranceClaySweden Henrik Sundström5–7, 6–4, 3–6
  • Madrid 1968 and 1969 not listed by ATP.

Doubles: 43 (23 titles, 20 runner-ups)

ResultW/LYearTournamentSurfacePartnerOpponentsScore
Win1–01969Barcelona, SpainClayChile Patricio RodríguezAustralia Terry Addison Australia Ray Keldie8–10, 6–3, 6–1, 5–7, 6–2
Win2–01971New York City, USIndoorSpain Juan Gisbert Sr.United States Jimmy Connors Pakistan Haroon Rahim7–6, 6–2
Win3–01971Salisbury, USHard (i)Spain Juan Gisbert Sr.United States Clark Graebner Brazil Thomaz Koch6–3, 4–6, 7–6
Loss3–11972Kansas City, USIndoorSpain Andrés GimenoRomania Ilie Năstase Romania Ion Țiriac7–6, 4–6, 6–7
Win4–11972Salisbury, USHard (i)Spain Andrés GimenoSpain Juan Gisbert Sr. Czechoslovakia Vladimir Zednik6–4, 6–3
Loss4–21972Hampton, USHard (i)Spain Andrés GimenoRomania Ilie Năstase Romania Ion Țiriac4–6, 6–7
Loss4–31972Caracas, VenezuelaHardUnited States Jim McManusChile Patricio Cornejo Chile Jaime Fillol4–6, 6–7
Loss4–41972Madrid, SpainClaySpain Andrés GimenoRomania Ilie Năstase United States Stan Smith2–6, 2–6
Win5–41972Brussels, BelgiumClaySpain Juan Gisbert Sr.Chile Patricio Cornejo Chile Jaime Fillol9–7, 6–3
Win6–41972Eastbourne, UKGrassSpain Juan Gisbert Sr.Greece Nicholas Kalogeropoulos Rhodesia Andrew Pattison8–6, 6–2
Win7–41972Barcelona, SpainClaySpain Juan Gisbert Sr.South Africa Frew McMillan Romania Ilie Năstase6–3, 3–6, 6–4
Win8–41973Barcelona, SpainClaySpain Juan Gisbert Sr.United States Mike Estep Romania Ion Țiriac6–4, 7–6
Loss8–51973Hamburg, West GermanyClayRomania Ion ȚiriacWest Germany Jürgen Fassbender West Germany Hans-Jürgen Pohmann6–7, 6–7, 6–7
Loss8–61973Eastbourne, UKGrassRomania Ion ȚiriacSweden Ove Nils Bengtson United States Jim McManus4–6, 6–4, 5–7
Win9–61973Louisville, USClayRomania Ion ȚiriacUnited States Clark Graebner Australia John Newcombe0–6, 6–4, 6–3
Loss9–71973Indianapolis, USClayRomania Ion ȚiriacAustralia Bob Carmichael South Africa Frew McMillan3–6, 4–6
Loss9–81973Barcelona, SpainClaySpain Antonio MuñozRomania Ilie Năstase Netherlands Tom Okker6–4, 3–6, 2–6
Loss9–91974Tucson, USHardUnited States Tom EdlefsenUnited States Charlie Pasarell United States Sherwood Stewart4–6, 4–6
Loss9–101974Monte Carlo, MonacoClayAustralia Tony RocheAustralia John Alexander Australia Phil Dent6–7, 6–4, 6–7, 3–6
Win10–101974Munich, West GermanyClaySpain Antonio MuñozWest Germany Jürgen Fassbender West Germany Hans-Jürgen Pohmann2–6, 6–4, 7–6, 6–2
Win11–101974Gstaad, SwitzerlandClaySpain José HiguerasAustralia Roy Emerson Brazil Thomaz Koch7–5, 0–6, 6–1, 9–8
Win12–101974Toronto, CanadaHardArgentina Guillermo VilasWest Germany Jürgen Fassbender West Germany Hans-Jürgen Pohmann6–1, 2–6, 6–2
Loss12–111974Barcelona, SpainClayArgentina Guillermo VilasSpain Juan Gisbert Sr. Romania Ilie Năstase6–3, 0–6, 2–6
Win13–111974Tehran, IranClayArgentina Guillermo VilasUnited States Brian Gottfried Mexico Raúl Ramírez7–6, 2–6, 6–2
Win14–111974Buenos Aires, ArgentinaClayArgentina Guillermo VilasUnited States Clark Graebner Brazil Thomaz Koch6–4, 6–3
Win15–111975Bournemouth, UKClaySpain Juan Gisbert Sr.Australia Syd Ball Australia Dick Crealy8–6, 6–3
Win16–111975Hamburg, West GermanyClaySpain Juan Gisbert Sr.Poland Wojciech Fibak Czechoslovakia Jan Kodeš6–3, 7–6
Loss16–121975Båstad, SwedenClaySpain Juan Gisbert Sr.Sweden Björn Borg Sweden Ove Nils Bengtson6–7, 5–7
Win17–121975Indianapolis, USClaySpain Juan Gisbert Sr.Poland Wojciech Fibak West Germany Hans-Jürgen Pohmann7–5, 6–0
Loss17–131975Madrid, SpainClaySpain Juan Gisbert Sr.Czechoslovakia Jan Kodeš Romania Ilie Năstase6–7, 6–4, 7–9
Win18–131975Tehran, IranClaySpain Juan Gisbert Sr.South Africa Bob Hewitt South Africa Frew McMillan7–5, 6–7, 6–1, 6–4
Loss18–141975Tokyo, JapanClaySpain Juan Gisbert Sr.United States Brian Gottfried Mexico Raúl Ramírez6–7, 4–6
Win19–141975Calcutta, IndiaClaySpain Juan Gisbert Sr.India Anand Amritraj India Vijay Amritraj1–6, 6–4, 6–3
Win20–141975Masters, StockholmCarpetSpain Juan Gisbert Sr.West Germany Jürgen Fassbender West Germany Hans-Jürgen PohmannRound robin
Win21–141976Valencia, SpainClaySpain Juan Gisbert Sr.Italy Corrado Barazzutti Italy Antonio Zugarelli6–1, 6–4
Win22–141976Munich, West GermanyClaySpain Juan Gisbert Sr.West Germany Jürgen Fassbender West Germany Hans-Jürgen Pohmann1–6, 6–3, 6–2, 2–3, ret.
Loss22–151976Bournemouth, UKClaySpain Juan Gisbert Sr.Poland Wojciech Fibak United States Fred McNair6–4, 5–7, 5–7
Loss22–161976Montreal, CanadaHardSpain Juan Gisbert Sr.South Africa Bob Hewitt Mexico Raúl Ramírez2–6, 1–6
Loss22–171976Tehran, IranClaySpain Juan Gisbert Sr.Poland Wojciech Fibak Mexico Raúl Ramírez5–7, 1–6
Loss22–181977Madrid, SpainClaySpain Antonio MuñozSouth Africa Bob Hewitt South Africa Frew McMillan7–6, 6–7, 3–6, 1–6
Loss22–191978French Open, ParisClaySpain José HiguerasUnited States Gene Mayer United States Hank Pfister3–6, 2–6, 2–6
Win23–191982Viña del Mar, ChileClayMexico Raúl RamírezArgentina Guillermo Aubone Spain Ángel GiménezDEF
Loss23–201982Buenos Aires, ArgentinaClaySpain Angel GimenezAustria Hans Kary Hungary Zoltán Kuhárszky5–7, 2–6

Grand Slam singles performance timeline

Key
WFSFQF#RRRQ#DNQANH
Tournament1968196919701971197219731974197519761977197819791980198119821983SRW–LWin%
Australian OpenQFAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA0 / 13–175%
French Open1R3R4R1RSF2RF1RQFAQF4R4R1RA2R0 / 1431–1174%
Wimbledon1R1R3R1RSFA4RAAAA2RAAAA0 / 711–761%
US OpenA2RAQF3R3R2RWQFQF1RAAAAA1 / 925–876%
Win–loss3–23–35–24–211–33–210–37–18–24–14–24–23–00–10–01–11 / 3170–2772%
Year-end ranking–––––511547121958454174

External links