Yannick Noah (b. May 18 1960 in Sedan, France) is former professional tennis player from France. He is best remembered for winning the men's singles title at the French Open in 1983, and as a highly-sucessful captain of France's Davis Cup and Fed Cup teams. Since his retirement from the game, Noah has remained in the public eye as a popular music performer and as the founder of a charity organization for underprivileged children.

Noah became France's most prominent tennis hero in 1983, becoming the first Frenchman for 37 years to win the French Open. He dropped only one set during the fortnight-long tournament, and defeated the defending champion Mats Wilander in straight sets in the final 6-2, 7-5, 7-6.

During his 12-year career he captured a total of 23 singles titles and 16 doubles titles. His career-high singles ranking was World No. 3 in 1986.

Noah won the French Open men's doubles title twice, in 1984 (with Henri Leconte) and 1987 (with Guy Forget). Noah and Leconte also won the men's doubles title at the US Open in 1984. In August 1986, Noah earned the World No. 1 doubles ranking, which he would hold for a total of 19 weeks.

Noah was a member of France's Davis Cup team for eleven years, with an overall win-loss record of 39-22 (26-15 singles and 13-7 doubles). In 1991, Noah captained the French team to winning its first Davis Cup for 59 years. This feat was repeated in 1996. In 1997, Noah captained France's Fed Cup team to its first-ever victory in that competition.

Since retiring from playing tennis, Noah has developed a career as a popular singer, performing throughout Europe. He began his music career in 1993 with the album 'Urban Tribu', featuring the popular track 'Saga Africa'. In collaboration with Jean-Jacques Goldman, he released a second album in 2000 entitled simply 'Yannick Noah'.

Noah is also very active in charity work, having created Enfants de la Terre and Fête le Mur, a tennis association for underprivileged children.

Noah was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island, USA in 2005.

External links

• Official ATP profile
• International Tennis Hall of Fame profile