Today it is official; France has its first number one tennis player. Amélie Mauresmo leads with 4527 points in front of Anastasia Myskina.

“Since losing to Elena Dementieva, I had been very tense and impatient. The waiting was terrible. I was obsessed with the world number one place being so close. I didn't see the first two sets of the Kuznetsova - Davenport match and when I switched on the TV, they were in the final set. At the end, I said: 'That's it, it's happened'. It was my dream for two and a half years. I was very emotional. It hasn't really sunk in yet.” Mauresmo said herself about the last hours before her dream came true.

In fact Mauresmo had to wait a long time until she achieved her dream. And it was not always easy for the French woman. She had many problems with different injuries but she never gave up her dreams.

Amélie Mauresmo, who was born in St. Germains en Laye, has decided at the age of four to play tennis (after watching Yannick Noah’s victory in Roland Garros 1983 on TV), and since than she has improved her ranking every year (except 2000).

Season Ending Rankings: 2003-4, 2002- 6, 2001-9, 2000-16,1999-10, 1998-29, 1997-109, 1996-159, 1995-290, 1994-827

Until now Mauresmo has already won thirteen singles title. Her first title was the one at the German Open in 1998.

Mauresmo was maybe not the best player of the whole season but at least she was one of the most constant ones.

All her three titles she won at the big tier one tournaments in Berlin, Rome and Montreal this year. She also won the silver medal at the Olympic games in Athens, and helped the French team to win the Fed Cup at the end of the last season. Mauresmo also reached the finals in Sydney and Amelia Island this year.

“To be on the highest platform is fabulous. It’s an immense joy. This is something I want to keep. It was my dream for two and a half years.” Mauresmo said herself about her new top ranking.

She hasn’t won a grand slam tournament yet (however she won the French Open junior title back in 1996) but that’s also something what she hopes to achieve soon in her career.

“Hopefully, now the Grand Slams will follow. It’s all about building things step by step. This gives me an incentive to work and work.” Mauresmo said about her next goal and added: “I’m not a robot, not a machine. People are fragile.  However this culture of losing is diminishing”

There were many great French tennis players before Mauresmo like Mary Pierce, Sandrine Testud and Nathalie Tauziat but nobody could become the number one like Mauresmo now. She is the first French player who achieved this goal.

“I am very proud to be the first Frenchwoman to be number one and I would like to inspire young players and show them it is possible.” Mauresmo said about her new record.