Opened season by winning ITF/Buchen-GER; qualified for two Tour events - Prague (l. 1r to Mauresmo in 3s) and Moscow; turned pro in August.

• 1998年，赛季初便赢得ITF德国站冠军，并赢得布拉格与莫斯科公开赛参赛资格，在布拉格的首轮苦战三盘败给毛瑞斯莫。并在8月份正式转为职业选手。