Image: Christian Wilmes
Henri Leconte
Henri Leconte was born on the 4th of July, 1963 in Lillers, France and played professional men’s tennis for 16-years, starting in 1980 when he won the junior title at the French Open until his retirement in 1996. His career-high singles ranking was world no. 5 in 1986 and his career-high doubles ranking was world no. 6 in 1985.
Country (sports): France
Residence: Geneva, Switzerland
Born: 4 July 1963 (age 54) Lillers, France
Height: 1.84 m (6 ft 1⁄2 in)
Turned pro: 1980
Retired: 1996
Plays: Left-handed (one-handed backhand)
Also available for voiceover work. Henri was born in France and speaks fluent English and French. He has a very attractive French accent.
Image: Christian Wilmes
CAREER
SINGLES
Career record: 377–269
Career title: 9
Highest ranking: No. 5 (22 September 1986)
GRAND SLAM SINGLES RESULTS
Australian Open: 4R (1985)
French Open: F (1988)
Wimbledon: SF (1986)
US Open: QF (1986)
OTHER TOURNAMENTS
Tour Finals: RR (1985, 1986, 1988)
Grand Slam Cup: QF (1990, 1992)
DOUBLES
Career record: 200–141
Career titles: 10
Highest ranking: No. 6 (18 March 1985)
GRAND SLAM DOUBLES RESULTS
Australian Open: QF (1990)
French Open: W (1984)
Wimbledon: 2R (1985, 1987)
US Open: F (1985)
MORE ABOUT HENRI
Leconte was a member of the French Davis Cup team for 13 consecutive years from 1982 to 1994, playing in both singles’ and doubles’ competitions. He helped France win the Davis Cup in 1991. He beat Pete Sampras on the first day in Lyon, which he described as “the best match I played in my life.”
He then partnered Guy Forget to a doubles win over Ken Flach and Robert Seguso. After 59 years this was the first Davis Cup title for France. Henri Leconte and Guy Forget were named athletes of the year by the French magazine L’Equipe (“Champion of Champions”). Leconte was also on the French team that won the World Team Cup in 1986.
Image: Christian Wilmes
Image: Christian Wilmes
MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Henri won nine singles titles during his professional tennis career. He achieved his first top-level singles title in 1982 in Stockholm, followed by wins in: Stuttgart in 1984; Nice & Sydney in 1985; Geneva and Hamburg in 1986; Nice & Brussels in 1988; Halle, Westfalen in 1993.
Other major accomplishments as a singles’ player were: in 1985 he reached the quarter-finals of the French Open and Wimbledon, the latter included a dazzling win over world no. 2, Ivan Lendl; in 1986 he reached two Grand Slam singles semi-finals at the French Open and Wimbledon.
However his greatest success as a single player at a Grand Slam was reaching the finals at the 1988 French Open on home soil at Roland Garros, beating Simon Youl, Bruno Orešar, Horacio de la Peña, Boris Becker, Andrei Chesnokov and Jonas Svensson. There he was defeated by the Swede, two-time former champion Mats Wilander.
Leconte also won ten doubles titles during his professional tennis career: Bologna in 1981; Nice, Basel and Vienna in 1982; Aix-en-Provence in 1983; Roland Garros, Kitzbühel & Stockholm 1984; Nice in 1988; Indian Wells in 1993. He compiled a doubles record of 17-5 and was undefeated with his doubles partner, Guy Forget, in the 11 matches they’ve played together. He won his last 14 double matches from March 1985 to July 1993.
Henri now plays on the ATP Champions Tour for over-35’s and has formed a doubles partnership with the Iranian player Mansour Bahrami. He also plays exhibition matches, hosts tennis clinics, and is a popular television commentator. Since 2013 Leconte has promoted Padel, a recent racquet sport, and has set up HL PADEL to build high quality courts and support clubs by arranging competitions and giving demonstrations to attract more players.
Photograph credit: BBC and Shine TV
MASTER CHEF
CELEBRITY MASTERCHEF 2017 named its most exciting line-up to date as a host of famous faces are preparing to feel the heat in the kitchen. Henri Leconte was one of them
Seasoned judges, John Torode and Gregg Wallace have their taste buds challenged, whilst they whittle down the twenty celebrity contestants; comparing their culinary skills in their hunt to single out one champion.
From identifying mystery ingredients and cooking in top class restaurant kitchens to catering for huge numbers and creating world class pastry, Celebrity MasterChef yet again puts the contestants through a plethora of culinary challenges.
They’ll cook for critics and past winners in their quest to reach the ultimate challenge of cooking with Michelin-starred chef, Jason Atherton, and of course serving up their ultimate three-course menu for John Torode and Gregg Wallace.
The former tennis ace progressed to Semi Finals after impressing Adrian Edmondson, Emma Kennedy and Phil Vickery which saw Leconte serve up a perfect lamb dish. Meanwhile Henri admitted: ‘When you get older some things change…no, never change. You’re fighting like hell, which is good. I love that.
Having entertained the audience and become a well-liked character according to the social media channels. Unfortunately, having got there, his apple tart let him down, and he was out.
I had an “Unbelievable time” having never cooked before except at home, it was a great experience and now I know what I can and cant do…and that make desert!!
MASTER CHEF
CELEBRITY MASTERCHEF 2017 named its most exciting line-up to date as a host of famous faces are preparing to feel the heat in the kitchen. Henri Leconte was one of them
Seasoned judges, John Torode and Gregg Wallace have their taste buds challenged, whilst they whittle down the twenty celebrity contestants; comparing their culinary skills in their hunt to single out one champion.
From identifying mystery ingredients and cooking in top class restaurant kitchens to catering for huge numbers and creating world class pastry, Celebrity MasterChef yet again puts the contestants through a plethora of culinary challenges.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Find Henri Leconte on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
CAMEO MESSAGES
Request a personal video message from Henri, sent directly to you or a friend or family member!
Find Henri Leconte on cameo.com
Request a personal video message sent directly to you or a friend or family member!
Ask Henri to record a Happy Birthday, Good Luck or Get Well Soon message for your special recipient NOW!
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Image: Christian Wilmes
VIDEOS
HENRI LECONTE HIGHLIGHTS
COLLABORATIONS
Image: Christian Wilmes