| Biography | Younes El Aynaoui is a five-time singles Champion on the ATP Tour and reached a career high ranking of World No.14 in March 2003.
El Aynaoui is often remembered for his 2003 Australian Open campaign. Prone to cause an upset, El Aynaoui defeated the World No.1 Lleyton Hewitt in the last 16 of the tournament to set up a quarter-final match against the up and coming, Andy Roddick. This quarter final match produced the then longest ever Grand Slam fifth set (since surpassed by the marathon 2010 Wimbledon match vs Isner and Mahut) with Roddick narrowly beating El Aynaoui 4-6, 7-6, 4-6, 6-4,21-19.
In addition to his successful ATP career, El Aynaoui was an important member of the Moroccan Davis Cup team, maintaining a 23-15 career record (21-9 in singles) during eighteen ties. In both 2002 and 2004 El Aynaoui was pivotal in helping his country secure qualification for the World group.
Outside of sport, El Aynaoui is an extremely influential individual and one of the most prominent personalities in Morocco. Named in a 2003 poll as Moroccos Most Important Role Model, El Aynaoui has received the highest award from the Moroccan King. El Aynaoui used his influence to develop a partnership with the National Association of Tennis Coaches to help promote youth sports. |