Željko Franulović
 | |
| Country (sports) |
 Yugoslavia |
|---|---|
| Residence | Split, Croatia |
| Born |
13 June 1947 Korčula, PR Croatia, FPR Yugoslavia |
| Turned pro | 1969 (amateur tour from 1965) |
| Retired | 1980 |
| Plays | Right-handed (one-handed backhand) |
| Singles | |
| Career record | 334–262 |
| Career titles | 9 |
| Highest ranking | No. 8 (1 March 1971) |
| Grand Slam Singles results | |
| French Open | F (1970) |
| Wimbledon | 3R (1970) |
| US Open | 3R (1975, 1976, 1977) |
| Other tournaments | |
| Tour Finals | RR (1970, 1971) |
| Doubles | |
| Career record | 190–196 |
| Career titles | 7 |
Željko Franulović (born 13 June 1947) is a Croatian former tennis player who competed for SFR Yugoslavia and who has since had a long career in tennis management. He is currently the Monte Carlo Masters tournament director.[1] Whilst his career-high ATP singles ranking was World No. 33, the ATP rankings were installed after Franulović's 1969-1971 heyday - Franulović was ranked inside the Top 20 in both 1970 and 1971, reaching as high as World No. 8 in March 1971.
Biography
Franulović was born on the island of Korčula to father Ivo and mother Katica, but at the age of one month got brought to Split where he grew up.[2] Franulović's playing career lasted for 12 years between 1969 and 1980, during which he won a total of 9 singles professional titles as well as 7 doubles titles.
He is remembered for reaching the French Open final in 1970, which he lost to Czech Jan Kodeš in straight sets.[3] He reached the semi-finals the following year. He also won the Monte-Carlo Masters in 1970.
Since retiring from playing tennis, Franulović became involved in the ATP since the 1990s.[4] He was the coach of the Croatian Davis Cup Team from 1994 to 1997.[4] He was the Tournament Representative for Europe on the Association of Tennis Professionals' Board of Directors, between 2007 and 2009.[5]
Grand Slam singles finals
Runner-up (1)
| Year | Championship | Opponent in Final | Score in Final |
| 1970 | French Open |  Jan Kodeš | 2–6, 4–6, 0–6 |
Grand Prix Championship Series singles finals
Wins (1)
| Year | Championship | Opponent in Final | Score in Final |
| 1970 | Monte Carlo |  Manuel Orantes | 6–4, 6–3, 6–3 |
References
- ↑ Zeljko Franulovic Announces Record Attendance
- ↑ Željko Franulović - Prvi reket domaćeg tenisa ;Tempo, August 1969
- ↑ http://www.sporting-heroes.net/tennis-heroes/displayhero.asp?HeroID=2069
- 1 2 "Željko Franulović". Tennis Club Split. Retrieved 2012-02-10.
- ↑ "USTA urges ATP to relocate event". Sports Business Daily. 2009-12-07. Retrieved 2012-02-10.
External links
- Željko Franulović at the Association of Tennis Professionals
- Željko Franulović at the International Tennis Federation