Aleksandra Wozniak
A trailblazing Canadian tennis star who broke a 20-year title drought, climbing into the world's top 25 with a powerful baseline game.
Born 1987 (age 39)·Canadian tennis player·Birthday: September 7·Millennials
Biography
Aleksandra Wozniak burst onto the professional tennis scene as a symbol of a new, gritty generation of Canadian players. Hailing from Montreal, she turned pro in 2005 and quickly announced herself with a ferocious work ethic and punishing groundstrokes. Her breakthrough was seismic: in 2008, she stormed through the draw at Stanford's Bank of the West Classic, becoming the first Canadian woman in two decades to win a WTA singles title. That victory propelled her to a career-high ranking of World No. 21 in 2009, where she traded blows with the sport's elite. Wozniak's game was built on relentless power from the back of the court, particularly a formidable forehand. Her career, however, was a marathon battle with injuries—shoulder, wrist, and back issues repeatedly sidelined her, forcing a premature retirement. Despite the physical setbacks, she remains a pioneer, proving that Canadian women could not only compete but win on the sport's biggest stages.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Aleksandra was born in 1987, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Aleksandra Was Born
The biggest hits of 1987
#1 Movie
Three Men and a Baby
Best Picture
The Last Emperor
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Aleksandra's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1987Born
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1992Started school
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
2000Became a teenager
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Could drive
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2005Could vote
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2008Turned 21
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2017Turned 30
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2026Age 39 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the 2008 Bank of the West Classic, becoming the first Canadian woman in 20 years to win a WTA Tour singles title.
- Achieved a career-high WTA singles ranking of World No. 21 in June 2009, the fifth-highest in Canadian history at the time.
- Represented Canada in Fed Cup competition for over a decade, playing both singles and doubles.
- Won eleven ITF Circuit singles titles in addition to her WTA victory.
Did You Know?
She was fluent in Polish, French, and English, reflecting her Polish immigrant heritage and Quebec upbringing.
Wozniak was a highly ranked junior, reaching World No. 3 in the ITF junior rankings in 2005.
She was named Tennis Canada's Female Player of the Year in 2008 and 2009.
Her father and coach, Antoni Wozniak, was a former Polish table tennis champion.
“I won my first WTA title by outworking everyone, point by punishing point.”
