Klára Koukalová
A Czech tennis stalwart who battled her way to a top-20 singles ranking with relentless determination and a distinctive double-handed style.
Born 1982 (age 44)·Czech tennis player·Birthday: February 24·Millennials
Biography
Klára Koukalová, who played under her married name Zakopalova later in her career, was a fixture on the WTA tour for over a decade and a half. Hailing from Prague, her game was built on grit, exceptional fitness, and a unique double-handed stroke for forehands, backhands, and even volleys. This unorthodox technique didn't hinder her; it became a weapon of consistency, allowing her to wear down opponents from the baseline. Her breakthrough came in her late twenties, a testament to her perseverance, as she climbed to a career-high ranking of World No. 20 in 2013. That year she also captured two of her three WTA singles titles, in Bogotá and Florianópolis, proving herself a formidable force on clay and hard courts alike. Koukalová's career stands as a lesson in maximizing one's tools, showing that unconventional methods, paired with fierce competitive spirit, can take a player to the sport's highest levels.
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.
Klára was born in 1982, 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 Klára Was Born
The biggest hits of 1982
#1 Movie
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Best Picture
Gandhi
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Klára's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1982Born
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1987Started school
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1995Became a teenager
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1998Could drive
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2000Could vote
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Turned 21
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
2012Turned 30
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
2022Turned 40
Russia invades Ukraine; Queen Elizabeth II dies
Gas: $3.97/galHome: $348,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"As It Was" — Harry StylesBest Picture: Everything Everywhere All at Once
2026Age 44 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Reached a career-high singles ranking of World No. 20 in April 2013.
- Won three WTA singles titles, in Portoroz (2005), Bogotá (2013), and Florianópolis (2013).
- Achieved a career-high doubles ranking of World No. 31, winning four WTA doubles titles.
- Represented the Czech Republic in Fed Cup competition multiple times.
Did You Know?
She is known for using a two-handed grip for nearly every shot, including her forehand and volleys.
She played under the name Klára Zakopalova after her 2007 marriage, before reverting to Koukalová following her divorce.
She defeated former World No. 1 players Dinara Safina and Jelena Janković during her career.
She is an avid fan of the football club AC Sparta Prague.
“I play with two hands on everything, even my volleys—it's just how I learned.”
