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Bad boy Coria growing up quickly
At 22 years old Guillermo Coria still lives with his grandmother in Buenos Aires, but on the tennis courts there is nothing meek and mild about this Argentinian.
At 22 years old Guillermo Coria still lives with his grandmother in Buenos Aires, but on the tennis courts there is nothing meek and mild about this home-loving Argentinian.
Named after Guillermo Vilas, the last Argentinian man to win the Roland Garros title back in 1977, Coria has the chance to emulate his hero in Sunday's final against countryman Gaston Gaudio.
If he does, then he will be more than happy to see his name in the headlines for the right reasons, which has not always been the case.
In 2002, he was hit with a suspension and a 90,000-dollar fine after testing positive for nandrolone although the slightly-built Coria has always protested his innocence.
In 2003, he was again not far from controversy.
At the Hamburg Masters, he was involved in a locker-room dust-up with Gaudio where he ended up being pinned against the wall as his compatriot and his coaching staff took revenge over a comment Coria had made during their semi-final.
With the match poised at one set each and Coria ahead by a break in the decider, he pointed to his chest to suggest that Gaudio didn't have the heart for a fight.
Coria went on to win the set without dropping a game.
One month later, he was in trouble again as his French Open dream unravelled in the semi-finals against Martin Verkerk.
He was so frustrated at his lack of impact against the big-serving Dutchman that he flung his racquet across the court which hit a ball girl. She was unhurt but the damage to his reputation was complete.
He has been on much safer ground since racking up 48 wins in his last 50 clay court matches collecting clay titles in Buenos Aires and Monte Carlo this year to boost his career total to eight.
If he keeps his head on Sunday, the player who picked up a tennis racquet before he could walk, will be celebrating his ninth.
