Robert Kendrick American tennis player Date of Birth: 15.11.1979 Country: USA

1. Childhood and Early Tennis Career
2. Professional Career
3. 2006 Wimbledon Championship
4. 2007 Season
5. Later Career
6. Doping Suspension

Childhood and Early Tennis Career

Robert Kendrick was born into a family of modest means. His father was a real estate appraiser, while his mother was a homemaker. At the age of five, he began playing tennis.

In 1997, Kendrick led his high school team to a district championship a year before graduating.

Professional Career

Kendrick turned professional in 2000, but it took until 2006 for him to establish himself as a top 100 player.

2006 Wimbledon Championship

2006 proved to be a pivotal year for Kendrick. He began by reaching the second round of the Delray Beach Championships.

He then received a wildcard into the Wimbledon Championships, where he was ranked 237th in the world. Kendrick upset Lu Yen-Hsun in three sets, setting up a much-anticipated match against Rafael Nadal. Nadal surprisingly struggled against Kendrick's unorthodox style, but ultimately won in a fifth-set tiebreaker. Kendrick's performance garnered significant attention.

Following Wimbledon, Kendrick reached the quarterfinals of the Campbell's Hall of Fame Tenis Championships in Newport, Rhode Island, before losing to Andy Murray. He went on to win the doubles title with partner Jürgen Melzer.

2007 Season

Kendrick participated in all four Grand Slam tournaments in 2007. However, he lost in the first round of the Australian Open to Nadal, followed by a series of other first-round exits. Kendrick finally broke through at the Sony Ericsson Open, where he reached the third round. He also claimed three Challenger Tour victories.

Later Career

In 2008 and 2009, Kendrick continued to struggle in Grand Slam tournaments, losing in the first round of the Australian Open to Amer Delic and Robin Söderling, respectively. He reached the second round of the 2009 French Open, setting a career-best record in a Grand Slam.

Doping Suspension

In 2011, Kendrick tested positive for methylhexanamine at the French Open. The substance had been banned since 2010, and the International Tennis Federation (ITF) suspended Kendrick for one year. His first-round victory was annulled, and he forfeited prize money and ranking points.