Alexandr Dolgopolov
A tennis maverick whose unorthodox, whiplash style and explosive speed made him one of the sport's most thrilling and unpredictable players.
Born 1988 (age 38)·Ukrainian tennis player·Birthday: November 7·Millennials
Biography
Alexandr Dolgopolov's game was a burst of chaotic energy on the tennis court. The son of a former professional player and coach, he inherited not a textbook technique but a unique athletic genius. His compact, whip-like groundstrokes, hit with minimal backswing, gave opponents no rhythm, while his lightning speed and deft touch produced breathtaking winners from impossible positions. This unconventional package propelled the Ukrainian to a sudden breakthrough at the 2011 Australian Open, where his thrilling run to the quarterfinals announced him as a new force. He cracked the world's top 15, claiming wins over the sport's biggest names. While injuries and health challenges eventually cut his prime short, Dolgopolov left an indelible mark as an artist of unpredictability, a player whose matches were less about strategy and more about spontaneous combustion.
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.
Alexandr was born in 1988, 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 Alexandr Was Born
The biggest hits of 1988
#1 Movie
Rain Man
Best Picture
Rain Man
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Alexandr's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1988Born
Pan Am Flight 103 bombed over Lockerbie
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $74,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Faith" — George MichaelBest Picture: Rain Man
1993Started school
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
2001Became a teenager
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2004Could drive
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2006Could vote
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2009Turned 21
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2018Turned 30
Royal wedding of Harry and Meghan; Parkland shooting
Gas: $2.72/galHome: $211,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"God's Plan" — DrakeBest Picture: Green Book
2026Age 38 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Reached the quarterfinals of the 2011 Australian Open, defeating top players like Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Robin Söderling.
- Achieved a career-high singles ranking of World No. 13 in January 2012.
- Won his first and only ATP Tour singles title at the 2011 Umag Open in Croatia.
- Represented Ukraine in Davis Cup competition for over a decade, often as their number-one player.
Did You Know?
His father, Oleksandr Dolgopolov Sr., was a professional tennis player who coached him for much of his career.
He changed the spelling of his first name from the Ukrainian 'Oleksandr' to 'Alexandr' in 2010.
Dolgopolov is known for suffering from a rare condition called Gilbert's syndrome, which can cause fatigue.
He was a talented junior golfer in Ukraine before focusing exclusively on tennis.
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