Nicklas Kulti (born 22 April 1971) is a former professional tennis player from Sweden. He was born in Stockholm. His career-high rankings were World No. 32 in singles in 1993, and No. 11 in doubles in 1997. Kulti was ranked No. 1 in the junior singles rankings in 1989.

Tennis career

Juniors

Kulti was ranked No. 1 in the junior world singles rankings in 1989 after winning the Australian Open and Wimbledon junior titles, and finishing runner-up at the US Open.

Pro tour

In 1991, Kulti won his first top-level singles title at Adelaide. He won a total of three tour singles titles during his professional career. He also won 13 top-level doubles titles, including the Monte Carlo Masters in 1994 (partnering Magnus Larsson) and the Paris Masters in 2000 (partnering Max Mirnyi). Kulti was a men's doubles runner-up at the French Open in 1995 (with Larsson) and the US Open in 1997 (with Jonas Björkman). Kulti's best singles performance at a Grand Slam event came at the 1992 French Open, where he reached the quarter-finals by defeating John McEnroe, Markus Zillner, Michael Chang and Diego Pérez before being knocked-out by Henri Leconte.

Kulti was a member of the Swedish teams which won the Davis Cup in both 1997 and 1998 (partnering Björkman to win doubles rubbers in the final on both occasions). He was also on the team which finished runners-up in the Davis Cup in 1996. In the fifth and deciding match against Frenchman Arnaud Boetsch, Kulti was a late replacement for the injured Stefan Edberg. In a 4-hour and 46-minute thriller, Boetsch saved three matchpoints and finally overcame Kulti, 7–6, 2–6, 4–6, 7–6, 10–8.

Post-retirement career

He runs the Good to Great Tennis Academy together with Magnus Norman and Mikael Tillström.

Junior Grand Slam finals

Singles: 4 (2 titles, 2 runner-ups)

ResultYearTournamentSurfaceOpponentScore
Loss1988US OpenHardVenezuela Nicolás Pereira1–6, 2–6
Win1989Australian OpenHardAustralia Todd Woodbridge6–2, 6–3
Win1989WimbledonGrassAustralia Todd Woodbridge6–4, 6–3
Loss1989US OpenHardUnited States Jonathan Stark4–6, 1–6

ATP career finals

Singles: 7 (3 titles, 4 runner-ups)

Legend
Legend Grand Slam Tournaments (0–0) ATP World Tour Finals (0–0) ATP World Tour Masters Series (0–0) ATP Championship Series (0–0) ATP World Series (3–4)Finals by surface Hard (2–0) Clay (0–2) Grass (1–1) Carpet (0–1)Finals by setting Outdoors (3–3) Indoors (0–1)
Grand Slam Tournaments (0–0)
ATP World Tour Finals (0–0)
ATP World Tour Masters Series (0–0)
ATP Championship Series (0–0)
ATP World Series (3–4)
Finals by surface
Hard (2–0)
Clay (0–2)
Grass (1–1)
Carpet (0–1)
Finals by setting
Outdoors (3–3)
Indoors (0–1)
ResultW–LDateTournamentTierSurfaceOpponentScore
Loss0–1Aug 1990Prague, Czech RepublicWorld SeriesClaySpain Jordi Arrese6–7(3–7), 6–7(6–8)
Win1–1Jan 1991Adelaide, AustraliaWorld SeriesHardGermany Michael Stich6–3, 1–6, 6–2
Win2–1Jan 1993Adelaide, AustraliaWorld SeriesHardSweden Christian Bergström3–6, 7–5, 6–4
Loss2–2Mar 1993Copenhagen, DenmarkWorld SeriesCarpetRussia Andrei Olhovskiy5–7, 6–3, 2–6
Loss2–3Apr 1996Atlanta, United StatesWorld SeriesClayMorocco Karim Alami3–6, 4–6
Win3–3Jun 1996Halle, GermanyWorld SeriesGrassRussia Yevgeny Kafelnikov6–7(5–7), 6–3, 6–4
Loss3–4Jun 1999Halle, GermanyWorld SeriesGrassGermany Nicolas Kiefer3–6, 2–6

Doubles: 25 (13 titles, 12 runner-ups)

Legend
Legend Grand Slam Tournaments (0–2) ATP World Tour Finals (0–0) ATP Masters Series (2–1) ATP Championship Series (2–2) ATP World Series (9–7)Finals by surface Hard (2–4) Clay (6–6) Grass (1–0) Carpet (4–2)Finals by setting Outdoors (8–10) Indoors (5–2)
Grand Slam Tournaments (0–2)
ATP World Tour Finals (0–0)
ATP Masters Series (2–1)
ATP Championship Series (2–2)
ATP World Series (9–7)
Finals by surface
Hard (2–4)
Clay (6–6)
Grass (1–0)
Carpet (4–2)
Finals by setting
Outdoors (8–10)
Indoors (5–2)
ResultW–LDateTournamentTierSurfacePartnerOpponentsScore
Win1–0Mar 1992Copenhagen, DenmarkWorld SeriesCarpetSweden Magnus LarssonNetherlands Hendrik Jan Davids Belgium Libor Pimek6–3, 6–4
Win2–0Aug 1992San Marino, San MarinoWorld SeriesClaySweden Mikael TillströmItaly Cristian Brandi Italy Federico Mordegan6–2, 6–2
Win3–0Apr 1994Monte Carlo, MonacoMasters SeriesClaySweden Magnus LarssonRussia Yevgeny Kafelnikov Czech Republic Daniel Vacek3–6, 7–6, 6–4
Loss3–1Jan 1994Båstad, SwedenWorld SeriesClaySweden Mikael TillströmSweden Jan Apell Sweden Jonas Björkman2–6, 3–6
Loss3–2Oct 1994Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaWorld SeriesCarpetSweden Lars-Anders WahlgrenNetherlands Jacco Eltingh Netherlands Paul Haarhuis0–6, 5–7
Loss3–3Jun 1995Paris, FranceGrand SlamClaySweden Magnus LarssonNetherlands Jacco Eltingh Netherlands Paul Haarhuis7–6, 4–6, 1–6
Win4–3Feb 1996Antwerp, NelgiumChampionship SeriesCarpetSweden Jonas BjörkmanRussia Yevgeny Kafelnikov Netherlands Menno Oosting6–4, 6–4
Loss4–4Mar 1996St. Petersburg, RussiaWorld SeriesCarpetSweden Peter NyborgRussia Yevgeny Kafelnikov Russia Andrei Olhovskiy3–6, 4–6
Win5–4Apr 1996New Delhi, IndiaWorld SeriesHardSweden Jonas BjörkmanZimbabwe Byron Black Australia Sandon Stolle4–6, 6–4, 6–4
Loss5–5Apr 1996Monte Carlo, MonacoMasters SeriesClaySweden Jonas BjörkmanSouth Africa Ellis Ferreira Netherlands Jan Siemerink6–2, 3–6, 2–6
Loss5–6Mar 1996Los Angeles, United StatesWorld SeriesHardSweden Jonas BjörkmanSouth Africa Marius Barnard South Africa Piet Norval5–7, 2–6
Loss5–7Aug 1996New Haven, United StatesChampionship SeriesHardSweden Jonas BjörkmanZimbabwe Byron Black Canada Grant Connell4–6, 4–6
Win6–7May 1997Atlanta, United StatesWorld SeriesClaySweden Jonas BjörkmanUnited States Scott Davis United States Kelly Jones6–2, 7–6
Win7–7May 1997Båstad, SwedenWorld SeriesClaySweden Mikael TillströmSweden Magnus Larsson Sweden Magnus Gustafsson6–0, 6–3
Loss7–8Aug 1997Indianapolis, United StatesChampionship SeriesHardSweden Jonas BjörkmanAustralia Michael Tebbutt Sweden Mikael Tillström1–6, 1–6
Loss7–9Aug 1997New York, United StatesGrand SlamHardSweden Jonas BjörkmanRussia Yevgeny Kafelnikov Czech Republic Daniel Vacek76–7, 3–6
Win8–9Feb 1998St. Petersburg, RussiaWorld SeriesCarpetSweden Mikael TillströmSouth Africa Marius Barnard South Africa Brent Haygarth3–6, 6–3, 7–6
Loss8–10May 1998Prague, Czech RepublicWorld SeriesClaySweden Fredrik BerghAustralia Wayne Arthurs Australia Andrew Kratzmann1–6, 1–6
Win9–10Nov 1998Stockholm, SwedenInternational SeriesHardSweden Mikael TillströmSouth Africa Chris Haggard Sweden Peter Nyborg7–5, 3–6, 7–5
Loss9–11Jul 1999Båstad, SwedenWorld SeriesClaySweden Mikael TillströmSouth Africa David Adams United States Jeff Tarango6–7(6–8), 4–6
Loss9–12Sep 1999Bournemouth, United KingdomWorld SeriesClayGermany Michael KohlmannSouth Africa David Adams United States Jeff Tarango3–6, 7–6(7–5), 6–7(5–7)
Win10–12Apr 2000Barcelona, SpainChampionship SeriesClaySweden Mikael TillströmNetherlands Paul Haarhuis Australia Sandon Stolle6–2, 6–7(2–7), 7–6(7–5)
Win11–12Jun 2000Halle, GermanyInternational SeriesGrassSweden Mikael TillströmIndia Mahesh Bhupathi Germany David Prinosil7–6(7–4), 7–6(7–4)
Win12–12Jul 2000Båstad, SwedenInternational SeriesClaySweden Mikael TillströmItaly Andrea Gaudenzi Italy Diego Nargiso4–6, 6–2, 6–3
Win13–12Nov 2000Paris, FranceMasters SeriesCarpetBelarus Max MirnyiNetherlands Paul Haarhuis Canada Daniel Nestor6–4, 7–5

ATP Challenger and ITF Futures Finals

Singles: 1 (0–1)

Legend
Legend ATP Challenger (0–1) ITF Futures (0–0)Finals by surface Hard (0–0) Clay (0–0) Grass (0–0) Carpet (0–1)
ATP Challenger (0–1)
ITF Futures (0–0)
Finals by surface
Hard (0–0)
Clay (0–0)
Grass (0–0)
Carpet (0–1)
ResultW–LDateTournamentTierSurfaceOpponentScore
Loss0–1Feb 1993Rennes, FranceChallengerCarpetFrance Stéphane Simian4–6, 6–7

Doubles: 7 (6–1)

Legend
Legend ATP Challenger (6–1) ITF Futures (0–0)Finals by surface Hard (2–0) Clay (3–1) Grass (0–0) Carpet (1–0)
ATP Challenger (6–1)
ITF Futures (0–0)
Finals by surface
Hard (2–0)
Clay (3–1)
Grass (0–0)
Carpet (1–0)
ResultW–LDateTournamentTierSurfacePartnerOpponentsScore
Loss0–1Aug 1989Pescara, ItalyChallengerClaySweden Magnus LarssonSweden Fredrik Nilsson Sweden David Engel2–6, 6–4, 6–7
Win1–1Nov 1989Copenhagen, DenmarkChallengerCarpetSweden Magnus LarssonAustria Alex Antonitsch Sweden Ronnie Båthman6–3, 6–2
Win2–1Mar 1995Indian Wells, United StatesChallengerHardSweden Mikael TillströmSweden Jan Apell United States Mike Bauer7–6, 6–4
Win3–1Apr 1995Monte Carlo, MonacoChallengerClaySweden Mikael TillströmGermany Nicolas Kiefer Germany Michael Stich7–5, 7–5
Win4–1May 1995Ljubljana, SloveniaChallengerClaySweden Mikael TillströmUnited States Shelby Cannon South Africa Stefan Kruger6–4, 6–4
Win5–1Jul 1995Braunschweig, GermanyChallengerClaySweden Mikael TillströmUnited States Bill Behrens South Africa Brendan Curry7–6, 6–4
Win6–1Mar 1997Indian Wells, United StatesChallengerHardAustralia Michael TebbuttUnited States Scott Davis United States Kelly Jones6–2, 4–6, 6–3

Performance timelines

Key
WFSFQF#RRRQ#DNQANH

Singles

Tournament198919901991199219931994199519961997199819992000SRW–LWin %
Grand Slam tournaments
Australian Open3R1R1R2R2R3R2R3R2RQ1Q11R0 / 1010–1050%
French Open1R3R2RQF1R2RQ31R1RQ1AA0 / 88–850%
WimbledonQ3A1R2R1R1RA1R2RQ2AQ20 / 62–625%
US OpenAA1R1R2R2R1R1RQ1A1RA0 / 72–722%
Win–loss2–22–21–46–42–44–41–22–42–30–00–10–10 / 3122–3142%
Year-end Championships
Grand Slam CupNHDNQ1RDid not qualifyNH0 / 10–10%
ATP Masters Series
Indian WellsAAAAA1RQ2A2RAAA0 / 21–233%
Miami1RAAA4R2RQ3A4RAAA0 / 46–460%
Monte CarloAA1RA1R1RQ2Q31RQ2AA0 / 40–40%
HamburgAA1RAA1RAAAAAA0 / 20–20%
RomeAA2R1R2R1RAAAQ1AQ10 / 42–433%
CanadaAAAAAAA1RAAAA0 / 10–10%
CincinnatiAAAAA1RA1RQ2AAA0 / 20–20%
ParisAA3R1RQ1Q1AQ3Q1AAA0 / 22–250%
Win–loss0–10–03–40–23–31–60–00–24–30–00–00–00 / 2111–2134%

Doubles

Tournament1989199019911992199319941995199619971998199920002001SRW–LWin %
Grand Slam tournaments
Australian OpenAAAAAA1R1R3R1R3R3R2R0 / 77–750%
French OpenAA1RAA2RFQF2R1RSF3RQF0 / 919–968%
WimbledonQ1AQ1AA2RAQFQFQF1RSFA0 / 614–670%
US OpenAAAAASF3R1RF3R1R3RA0 / 715–768%
Win–loss0–00–00–10–00–06–37–36–411–45–46–410–44–20 / 2955–2965%
National Representation
Olympic GamesNot HeldANot Held1RNot Held1RNH0 / 20–20%
Year-end Championships
ATP FinalsDid not qualifyRRDid not qualify0 / 11–233%
ATP Masters Series
Indian WellsAAAAAQ12RAQFAAAA0 / 23–260%
MiamiAAAAAA2RA3RASFA3R0 / 47–464%
Monte CarloAAAAAW2RFSF1RAQFA1 / 613–572%
HamburgAAAAAQFAAAAAAA0 / 12–167%
RomeAAAAAAAAA2RA2RA0 / 22–250%
CanadaAAAAAAASFAAAAA0 / 13–175%
CincinnatiAAAAA1RAQFAAAAA0 / 22–250%
StuttgartAAAAAAAAA1R1R1RA0 / 30–30%
ParisAAAAA2RA1R2RQFAWA1 / 57–464%
Win–loss0–00–00–00–00–08–31–38–46–43–44–27–31–12 / 2639–2462%

Mixed doubles

Tournament1998199920002001SRW–LWin %
Grand Slam tournaments
Australian OpenAQFA1R0 / 22–250%
French OpenA2R3R2R0 / 33–350%
WimbledonAA2RA0 / 11–150%
US Open1RAQFA0 / 22–250%
Win–loss0–13–24–31–20 / 88–850%

External links