Paola Suarez Argentine professional tennis player Date of Birth: 23.06.1976 Country: Argentina

1. Early Success
2. Breakthrough
3. Partnerships and Victories
4. Grand Slam and Olympic Heights
5. World Number One and Continued Success
6. Career Peak and Olympic Bronze
7. Injuries and Retirement

Early Success

Paola Suarez, an Argentinian professional tennis player, began her career with tremendous promise. At just 15 years old in 1991, she triumphed in her first ITF tournament in Buenos Aires and secured another victory later that year in Florianópolis, Brazil. The following year, she advanced to the final of the French Open junior championship, claimed four ITF singles titles, and won one in doubles. Suarez's talent was evident as she represented Argentina in the team junior world championship.

Breakthrough

In 1994, Suarez approached the top 100 rankings at age 18. She reached the semifinals of the WTA tournament in Prague, where she won six consecutive matches, including qualifiers. The same year, she made her Grand Slam main draw debut at the French Open. Despite early success, she struggled to maintain her ranking. Even a second-round appearance at the French Open the following year wasn't enough to elevate her into the top 100.

It wasn't until 1996 that Suarez broke into the top 100 in singles rankings. She accomplished this feat by reaching the third round of the Amelia Island tournament and earning a victory against Nathalie Tauziat in the Fed Cup. That year, she became a semifinalist at the Bol WTA tournament and won her maiden WTA doubles title.

Partnerships and Victories

After a lackluster 1997 season, Suarez's career took off in 1998. She partnered with several players to secure six doubles titles, including the prestigious Tier I Italian Open. Teaming up with Virginia Ruano, she reached the semifinals of the US Open, propelling her from 155th to 66th in doubles rankings. Her singles performance also soared as she captured her first WTA title in Bogotá, along with three more ITF tournaments.

Suarez returned to the Argentinian Fed Cup team in 1999, contributing eight wins over 11 matches in the America Group and World Group II playoffs. Her notable individual achievement that year was reaching the final of the Tier III tournament in Madrid. She started in the qualifying rounds, defeating three seeded opponents, including world number 11 Patty Schnyder. Lindsay Davenport, then ranked second in the world, denied Suarez the title. In doubles, she teamed up with various partners to win three WTA tournaments, reaching another final.

Grand Slam and Olympic Heights

The year 2000 brought about a new milestone for Suarez. She and Virginia Ruano advanced to the final of the French Open women's doubles. The pair continued their success, winning two more tournaments that year, including the Tier I Hilton Head event. They reached the French Open final once more. Suarez also won three tournaments with Laura Montalvo and partnered with Nana Miyagi to reach the Tokyo tournament final. At the Sydney Olympics, Suarez and Montalvo were seeded third but surprisingly bowed out in the second round. In the season's end, Suarez and Ruano competed in the WTA Tour Finals but fell in the first match.

In 2001, Virginia Ruano-Pascual became Suarez's regular doubles partner. Their first full season together brought forth their first Grand Slam title at the French Open. In the first half of the season, they won an additional tournament, reached three finals, and made it to the Wimbledon semifinals. Suarez also triumphed in the Bogotá tournament for a second time. She played exceptionally at the Australian Open, advancing to the fourth round and defeating world number seven Mary Pierce.

Injuries plagued Suarez in the latter half of the 2001 season. In May, she missed the Hamburg tournament due to a right wrist injury, and in August, a left shoulder injury forced her to withdraw from the US Open. She was forced to retire in the semifinals of the year-end tournament due to an ankle sprain. Despite these setbacks, Suarez helped Argentina return to the World Group by defeating Germany in the playoffs, ending a seven-year absence.

World Number One and Continued Success

In 2002, Ruano and Suarez dominated the doubles circuit, winning seven tournaments. Their most significant victories came at two Grand Slams: the French Open and the US Open. The latter marked Suarez's second career victory on a hard court. Their consistency was remarkable as they advanced to the Wimbledon final. After their triumph at the US Open, Suarez ascended to the number one ranking in doubles. Despite another setback in the WTA Tour Finals, Suarez and Ruano finished the year as the world's top doubles pair.

Suarez continued to make strides in singles that year, reaching one final in Acapulco. She also reached the quarterfinals of the French Open and defeated two top-ten players: Sandrine Testud and Amelie Mauresmo.

In 2003, Ruano and Suarez added five more tournaments to their tally, including their second US Open victory and their first season-ending tournament win. They reached the final in the remaining three Grand Slams, cementing their status as the world's top pair for the second consecutive year.

Suarez achieved notable success in singles during the latter half of the year. She won the Vienna tournament, reached the quarterfinals of the US Open, and played in the semifinals of the Tier I tournament in Toronto. She defeated two more top-ten players: Jelena Dokic and Daniela Hantuchová. These accomplishments propelled her into the top 20 singles rankings at the end of the year.

Career Peak and Olympic Bronze

Ruano and Suarez came closer than ever to a Grand Slam in women's doubles in 2004. After winning the Australian Open and the US Open, they were considered heavy favorites at Wimbledon. However, they suffered a setback in the semifinals, losing to Cara Black and Rennae Stubbs. Nevertheless, Ruano and Suarez ended the year as the number one doubles pair for the third consecutive year.

Suarez enjoyed a personal peak in her singles career that year. After winning the Canberra tournament and reaching the semifinals of the French Open, she entered the top ten world rankings in June. She also advanced to the Wimbledon quarterfinals. Suarez's Olympic campaign in Athens was memorable. Partnering with Patricia Tarabini, they reached the semifinals before losing to eventual champions Li Ting and Sun Tiantian. They defeated the Japanese duo Asagoe-Sugiyama in the bronze medal match.

Injuries and Retirement

The first half of 2005 was marred by a leg injury that caused Suarez to miss the Australian Open. She won three tournaments between February and May, including her fourth career victory at Roland Garros. However, she was forced to withdraw from Wimbledon with a hip injury that sidelined her for the remainder of the year. Suarez briefly considered retirement, but Virginia Ruano persuaded her to continue playing.

Suarez returned to the court in January 2006. She reached the final of the Sydney tournament with Ruano and made it to the Wimbledon final in June. From August to October, she won three tournaments and finished the year ranked 15th in doubles. In singles, she failed to advance beyond the quarterfinals, although she defeated two top-20 opponents.

2007 was Suarez's final year as a professional tennis player. She partnered with various players and competed less frequently than in previous years. In September, after losing in the second round of the mixed doubles event at the US Open with Kevin Ullyett as her partner, she announced her retirement.

Paola Suarez's career was marked by remarkable achievements in doubles, including eight Grand Slam titles and a world number one ranking. She also experienced success in singles, winning two WTA tournaments and reaching a career-high ranking of 9th. Her determination, resilience, and sportsmanship left an indelible mark on the tennis world.