Once tagged the world's biggest loser in men's tennis after a run of a record 21 consecutive defeats, the quirky American has finally discovered winning ways.

That he waited until most people had forgotten his name or written him off matters not one jot.

Victory in the Scottsdale Classic at the weekend at last allows him to shed the label of "serial loser" as well as the ignominious distinction of being the highest ranked player never to have won a title.

An old dog using new tricks? You bet.

"I'm 29 years old. I guess this shows you can teach an old dog new tricks," he grinned after downing Germany's Nicolas Kiefer in Arizona.

"I'll have a different mentality from now on. I thought just being on the tour was fun."

"I didn't know there were so many rewards. I am very excited and it's a great win for me... A better late than never thing."

The triumph is a rich reward for a player who went back to basics to rediscover his form.

Like his more famous countryman Andre Agassi, Spadea dropped down a level to the Challenger Circuit to boost his confidence in 2001 -- the year after his record-breaking "loser's run".

WINDING ROAD

That winding Challengers road took him to some obscure tennis outposts from Hawaii to Romania. It also revived his hunger as he rubbed shoulders with young risers such as Andy Roddick and James Blake.

Also Read Spadea wins first title on 223rd attempt

"It was a very humble experience and scary, you know," he said at the time. "It's fearful when you're at the brink of success to know you're sliding down further."

"Unless you really, really focus and commit at this point, then you will just play Challengers. The Challenger circuit is very underrated."

"I was adamant to give this game one more serious try, knowing that my youth is going to go sour at some point."

He did indeed give it a serious try and has now reaped the rewards.

Last year he finished in the world's top 30 for the first time since before that 21-match losing streak in 1999-2000. He won a career-best 34 matches in the season.

Last weekend, after 10 years on the circuit, he put the icing on the cake winning his maiden title in his 223rd career event.

"I was a former top 20 player and you can't find many players that have reached that level without having a title," he smiled.

"To win a title, to beat Andy (Roddick) and James (Blake) along the way... is wonderful."

"I have to look in the Thesaurus for a better word to say."