Jana Čepelová
A Slovak tennis talent who stunned the world by defeating world number one Serena Williams on the green clay of Charleston.
Born 1993 (age 33)·Slovak tennis player·Birthday: May 29·Millennials
Biography
Jana Čepelová emerged from Slovakia's deep tennis talent pool, turning professional in 2010 and quickly making a name for herself as a fierce competitor. Her career is defined by a single, spectacular week in 2014 at the Family Circle Cup in Charleston. As a qualifier ranked outside the top 70, she engineered a massive upset, toppling the legendary Serena Williams in a straight-sets second-round victory that sent shockwaves through the sport. She rode that momentum all the way to the final, showcasing a gritty, all-court game. While that fortnight remained her brightest moment, she consistently challenged top players and represented Slovakia in Fed Cup competition, her powerful groundstrokes and fighting spirit making her a dangerous opponent on any given day before her retirement from the tour.
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.
Jana was born in 1993, 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 Jana Was Born
The biggest hits of 1993
#1 Movie
Jurassic Park
Best Picture
Schindler's List
#1 TV Show
60 Minutes
Jana's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1993Born
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
1998Started school
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2006Became a teenager
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
2009Could drive
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
2011Could vote
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
2014Turned 21
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
2023Turned 30
ChatGPT goes mainstream; Israel-Hamas war begins
Gas: $3.52/galHome: $361,600Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Flowers" — Miley CyrusBest Picture: Oppenheimer
2026Age 33 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Reached the final of the WTA Premier event in Charleston in 2014 as a qualifier.
- Defeated then-world No. 1 Serena Williams in the second round of the 2014 Charleston tournament.
- Achieved a career-high singles ranking of World No. 50 in September 2014.
- Represented Slovakia in Fed Cup competition from 2012 to 2016.
Did You Know?
Her victory over Serena Williams in Charleston was Williams's earliest exit from a tournament in nearly two years.
She won six singles titles on the ITF Women's Circuit.
Her younger sister, Chantal Škamlová, is also a professional tennis player.
“On a good day, my forehand feels like a whip.”
