Beatriz Haddad Maia
A powerful left-handed tennis player from Brazil who broke into the world's top ten, inspiring a new generation with her athletic game and resilience.
Born 1996 (age 30)·Brazilian tennis player·Birthday: May 30·Millennials
Biography
Beatriz Haddad Maia, known as Bia, announced herself not with a whisper, but with the heavy topspin of her left-handed forehand. Hailing from São Paulo, her tall, athletic frame and relentless work ethic slowly carved a path through the professional ranks. Her career is a story of patience and dramatic comebacks, most notably from a 2019 doping suspension that she steadfastly maintained was due to contaminated supplements. Clearing her name, she stormed back with a vengeance in 2022, winning grass-court titles and making deep runs at majors. Her 2023 French Open semifinal appearance was a landmark moment, making her the first Brazilian woman in the Open Era to reach that stage. Combining formidable power with improved tactical nuance, Haddad Maia's journey has reignited tennis passion in Brazil and proven her to be one of the tour's most formidable and mentally tough competitors.
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.
Beatriz was born in 1996, 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 Beatriz Was Born
The biggest hits of 1996
#1 Movie
Independence Day
Best Picture
The English Patient
#1 TV Show
ER
Beatriz's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1996Born
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
2001Started school
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
2009Became a teenager
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
2012Could drive
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2014Could vote
Russia annexes Crimea; Ebola outbreak in West Africa
Gas: $3.37/galHome: $160,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Happy" — Pharrell WilliamsBest Picture: Birdman
2017Turned 21
#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
2026Turned 30
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- She became the first Brazilian woman to reach a Grand Slam singles semifinal in the Open Era at the 2023 French Open.
- She reached the women's doubles final at the 2022 Australian Open partnering Anna Danilina.
- She won back-to-back WTA 250 grass-court titles in Nottingham and Birmingham in 2022.
- She broke into the WTA top 10 in singles in 2023, a first for a Brazilian woman.
Did You Know?
She is an avid fan of the Brazilian football club Corinthians.
Her father is of Lebanese descent.
She served a 10-month suspension in 2019-2020 after testing positive for two banned substances, which were traced to a contaminated supplement.
She is fluent in Portuguese, English, and Spanish.
“My game is built on discipline, heavy shots, and never giving up a point.”
