Arantxa Rus
A Dutch left-hander with a formidable topspin game who staged one of the greatest upsets in tennis history by defeating then-world number one Kim Clijsters.
Born 1990 (age 36)·Dutch tennis player·Birthday: December 13·Millennials
Biography
Arantxa Rus, named after Spanish champion Arantxa Sánchez Vicario, carved her own distinct path on the professional tennis tour with a patient, grinding style built around heavy topspin and relentless consistency. The Dutch left-hander announced herself to the world in dramatic fashion at the 2011 French Open, where as a 20-year-old qualifier ranked outside the top 100, she toppled the defending champion and world number one, Kim Clijsters. That victory defined her as a giant-killer on clay, though the journey to a WTA title was a long, winding test of resilience. She battled through injuries and ranking fluctuations for over a decade before her breakthrough moment finally came at the 2023 Hamburg Open, where she claimed her maiden singles crown, a testament to her enduring perseverance and deep love for the game.
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.
Arantxa was born in 1990, 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 Arantxa Was Born
The biggest hits of 1990
#1 Movie
Home Alone
Best Picture
Dances with Wolves
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Arantxa's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1990Born
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1995Started school
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
2003Became a teenager
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
2006Could drive
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
2008Could vote
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
2011Turned 21
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2020Turned 30
COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the world
Gas: $2.17/galHome: $248,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Blinding Lights" — The WeekndBest Picture: Nomadland
2026Age 36 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won her first WTA Tour singles title at the 2023 Hamburg European Open, defeating Noma Noha Akugue in the final.
- Reached a career-high singles ranking of World No. 41 in 2012.
- Defeated then-world number one and defending champion Kim Clijsters at the 2011 French Open.
- Won four WTA doubles titles and achieved a career-high doubles ranking of World No. 60.
- Has won 11 singles titles on the ITF Women's Circuit.
Did You Know?
She is named after the Spanish tennis star Arantxa Sánchez Vicario.
She is a natural left-handed player but writes with her right hand.
She played collegiate tennis for one semester at the University of South Carolina.
Her 2011 victory over Kim Clijsters was Clijsters' last ever match at the French Open.
“I win my matches from the baseline, point by point, with heavy spin.”
