Orantes Elected to International Tennis Hall of Fame

Rafael Nadal won his first and only U.S. Open title in 2010… But fellow Spaniard Manuel Orantes claimed the U.S. Open crown some 35 years before. And, now he’ll be forever immortalized in Newport, Rhode Island.

The 63-year-old Spanish tennis legend has been elected to the International Tennis Hall of Fame in the master player category.

Manuel Orantes

Along with winning the 1975 U.S. Open by beating Jimmy Connors in straight sets in the final, Orantes was the runner-up to Bjorn Borg at the 1974 French Open.

Orantes reached No. 2 in the rankings in 1973, and he was in the year-ending top 10 for five consecutive years.

Along with Orantes, this year’s inductees will include former world No. 1 Jennifer Capriati and former French Open champion Gustavo Kuerten.

The induction ceremony will be held on July 14, 2012 at the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island.

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