Year 96
1996 HIGHLIGHTS
Prize money: $1,668,547
Matches won-lost: 48-24 (66.7%)
Singles Winner: New Delhi, Paris-Bercy Open, Stockholm Open
Finalist: n/a
Semifinalist: Cincinnati, Lyon.
Quarterfinalist: Australian Open.
Doubles Semifinalist: Dubai.
1996 IN REVIEW
On February 19, Thomas achieved his highest singles ranking ever at #6 and
his highest doubles ranking at #189. He won titles in New Delhi,
Paris-Bercy Open and
Stockholm Open in the course of the year and
although he was #9 at the end of the year, he played in the ATP Tour World
Championship, replacing an injured Andre Agassi. There he defeated Boris
Becker in straight sets but did not advance to the semifinal round. Although
Thomas preferred to stay focused on his singles game, he fine-tuned it with
some doubles play. He and Jim Courier finished the year ranked #162 as a
team and Thomas' individual doubles ranking was #357. Thomas this year
posted victories over world No. 1 Pete Sampras, Wimbledon champion Richard
Krajicek and French champion Yevgeny Kafelnikov.