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2008-10-13 14:26:18
In life, some people learn how to successfully play the game. Romanian-born Ion Tiriac redefined the business of game playing, amassing an estimated 1.2 billion dollars in assets along the way.
The former ATP tour player and self-made business mogul has weathered a storm of controversy over the past few weeks, as tennis fans and followers railed against the Mutua Madrileña Masters Madrid patron's handling of, and influence over, the tournament's wild card recipients. The backstage ballyhoo initially left former world #1 and Roland Garros winner, Juan Carlos Ferrero, shut out of the action at El Recinto Ferial de la Casa de Campo in his native Spain.
A last-minute scheduling shakeup would have allowed Ferrero to return to competition on Monday, but the snubbed Spaniard told the tournament organizers to shove it. Ferrero refused to accept the sloppy seconds invitation, suggesting that pride and principle, rather than ranking points and prize money, had already made the decision for him.
Hot on the heels of the Ferrero fiasco was the unfortunate withdrawal of an injured Marat Safin, a premiere client of Tiriac's management company, as well as a time-tested fan favourite in Madrid.
With double the drama done, all eyes will be focused upon the Forbes List of Billionaires entrant this week. As the primary creative force behind Spain's M4, Tiriac continues his quest to transform the tournament into a fifth Grand Slam, following in the footsteps of the events held in Melbourne, Paris, London, and New York City.
You may call him "Sir": Ion Tiriac
First fortune: 9th May, 1939 in Brasov, Romania
Ice intro: Competed in the 1960 Olympics (ice hockey)
ATP money shot: Won the French Open doubles championship in 1970 with Ilie "Nasty" Nastase
Star maker: Coached Boris Becker, Steffi Graf, and Goran Ivanisevic
Going gold: Became president of the Romanian National Olympic committee in 1998
BBB Bling: Founded the premiere private bank in post-Communist Romania, Banca Tiriac, in 1990
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Money pool master: Company collection in real estate, banking, insurance, auto leasing and retail
Flying high: Owner of the 1st Romanian carrier to specialize in business aviation, Ion Tiriac Air, established in 1998
Sitting atop a successful financial empire, and whether you love to admire him or live to hate him, Ion Tiriac is one bad boy who always gets what he wants!
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who cares about this old fart, write about Marat Safin or Andy Roddick please.
Britney , 10/14/08 3:12 PM
no
elle , 10/14/08 5:56 PM
www.life.ru/video/6609
For the Safin lovers...
sunshinereggae , 10/15/08 7:06 PM
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tooo mcu $$$$$$$$$$ for one person
elle , 10/13/08 3:46 PM