Heinz Günthardt
A Swiss tennis stalwart who transitioned from a solid singles career to become one of the world's top doubles champions.
Born 1959 (age 67)·Swiss tennis player·Birthday: February 8·Baby Boomers
Biography
Heinz Günthardt carved out a respected place in tennis during an era of brash superstars with steady, intelligent play. The Swiss player enjoyed a solid singles career, reaching a peak ranking inside the world's top 30 and claiming titles on the ATP tour. His game, built on consistency and tactical savvy, was perhaps better suited for the doubles court, where he truly excelled. Partnering with Balázs Taróczy, Günthardt won the men's doubles title at Wimbledon in 1985, a crowning achievement. He also found success in mixed doubles, capturing French Open titles. After retiring, he smoothly transitioned into coaching and commentary, sharing his deep understanding of the game with a new generation.
Baby Boomers
1946–1964
The largest generation in history at the time. Shaped by postwar prosperity, the Vietnam War, the sexual revolution, and Watergate. They questioned every institution their parents built — then ran them.
Heinz was born in 1959, placing them squarely in the Baby Boomers. The events that shaped this generation — postwar prosperity, civil rights, Vietnam, and the counterculture — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Heinz Was Born
The biggest hits of 1959
#1 Movie
Ben-Hur
Best Picture
Ben-Hur
#1 TV Show
Gunsmoke
Heinz's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1959Born
Fidel Castro takes power in Cuba
Gas: $0.30/galHome: $12,400Min wage: $1.00/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"The Battle of New Orleans" — Johnny HortonBest Picture: Ben-Hur
1964Started school
Civil Rights Act signed; Beatles arrive in America
Gas: $0.30/galHome: $13,450Min wage: $1.25/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"I Want to Hold Your Hand" — The BeatlesBest Picture: My Fair Lady
1972Became a teenager
Watergate break-in; last Apollo Moon mission
Gas: $0.36/galHome: $19,550Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" — Roberta FlackBest Picture: The Godfather
1975Could drive
Fall of Saigon ends the Vietnam War
Gas: $0.57/galHome: $27,600Min wage: $2.10/hrPresident: Gerald Ford"Love Will Keep Us Together" — Captain & TennilleBest Picture: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
1977Could vote
Star Wars premieres; Elvis dies
Gas: $0.62/galHome: $31,800Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Tonight's the Night" — Rod StewartBest Picture: Annie Hall
1980Turned 21
John Lennon shot and killed in New York
Gas: $1.19/galHome: $47,200Min wage: $3.10/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Call Me" — BlondieBest Picture: Ordinary People
1989Turned 30
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1999Turned 40
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2009Turned 50
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
2019Turned 60
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 67 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the gentlemen's doubles title at Wimbledon in 1985 with partner Balázs Taróczy.
- Won the mixed doubles title at the French Open in 1985 and 1986.
- Achieved a career-high singles ranking of World No. 22 in 1986.
- Won three ATP singles titles and over ten doubles titles during his career.
Did You Know?
He served as the coach for former World No. 1 player Steffi Graf for a period.
He works as a tennis commentator for German-language television.
He won his first ATP singles title in 1980 in Stuttgart.
“You win the point you are playing, not the one you wish you were playing.”
