Lauren Davis
A tenacious competitor standing just five-foot-two, she used relentless speed and a fierce backhand to climb into the world's top 30.
Born 1993 (age 33)·American tennis player·Birthday: October 9·Millennials
Biography
Lauren Davis proved that in tennis, heart and hustle can compensate for a lack of physical stature. The Floridian, known for her compact but powerful game, turned professional in 2010 and carved her path on the tour through sheer grit. Her aggressive two-handed backhand and exceptional footspeed made her a tricky opponent, particularly on clay courts where she scored some of her biggest wins. Davis peaked at World No. 26 in 2017, a testament to her consistency and fighting spirit. While she captured two WTA singles titles, her career was also marked by memorable battles against top-ranked players, often pushing them to their limits in marathon matches that showcased her incredible fitness and never-say-die attitude.
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.
Lauren 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 Lauren Was Born
The biggest hits of 1993
#1 Movie
Jurassic Park
Best Picture
Schindler's List
#1 TV Show
60 Minutes
Lauren'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
- Achieved a career-high singles ranking of World No. 26 in May 2017.
- Won two WTA Tour singles titles, in Auckland in 2017 and Hobart in 2023.
- Captured eight singles titles on the ITF Women's Circuit.
- Reached the third round of the Australian Open three times and the US Open twice.
Did You Know?
She is only 5 feet 2 inches tall, one of the shortest players on the modern WTA tour.
She is an avid fan of the Harry Potter book series.
She played collegiate tennis for a brief period at Vanderbilt University before turning professional.
Her father, Bill Davis, was a professional water skier.
“I'm five-foot-two, so I have to move my feet and take the ball early.”
