After making it past the threat of Y2K, everything else was gravy. The U.S. won its most recent Fed Cup title in the first year of the new millennium, a banner season in professional tennis. Some players that were just starting their careers then are still on the court now, while some noteworthy achievements propelled others to the Hall of Fame.

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Here’s a look back at some of the highlights from the last time the U.S. won the Fed Cup in 2000:

1

Newly retired (again) Martina Hingis finished at No. 1 in singles for the second year in a row, but failed to win a major.

2

Venus Williams won the first two singles majors of her career, plus the first Olympic gold medal in singles and doubles (with Serena) in Sydney. Venus Williams was named WTA Player of the Year, and she and Serena were recognized as the top doubles team.

3

With two Grand Slam titles apiece, Andy Roddick and Maria Emilia Salerni finished atop the boys’ and girls’ junior ITF rankings, respectively.

4

Lindsay Davenport won her third career Grand Slam singles title at the Australian Open.

5

Gustavo Kuerten became the first South American male to finish the year at No. 1. Aside from accomplishing what was once thought impossible—beating Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi back-to-back for the Tennis Masters Cup title—the Brazilian also won his second French Open.

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6

Mary Pierce became the first Frenchwoman in more than 30 years to take home the French Open title.

7

The ATP launched its “New Balls, Please” campaign, featuring future No. 1s Marat Safin, Roger Federer and Juan Carlos Ferrero, as well as Kuerten, among others.

8

Among the players announcing their retirements that year were future Hall of Famers Jim Courier and Mark Woodforde, as well as former Australian Open champ Petr Korda.

9

Safin won the US Open over Pete Sampras, snapping the American’s Grand Slam finals-won streak at six.

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10

In his first year playing all of the Grand Slams during the season he turned 20, Federer made it to the third round of the Australian and US Opens, and the round of 16 at the French Open. Surprisingly, he fell in the first round at Wimbledon for the second year in a row.

Follow Van on Twitter: @Van_Sias

The last time
the U.S. won the 
Fed Cup...

The last time the U.S. won the Fed Cup...