Leonardo Mayer
An Argentine tennis stalwart with a thunderous one-handed backhand who claimed two ATP titles and became a formidable force on clay courts.
Born 1987 (age 39)·Argentine tennis player·Birthday: May 15·Millennials
Biography
Leonardo Mayer played Argentine tennis with a classic, powerful style. Hailing from the clay-rich city of Corrientes, his game was built around a massive serve and a sweeping one-handed backhand that could produce winners from anywhere on the court. While he could be streaky, on his best days he was a nightmare for top opponents, a fact he proved by defeating world number one Andy Murray in 2016. Mayer's career highlights are etched in dramatic finals. He won his first ATP title in Hamburg in 2014, saving a match point, and repeated the feat at the same tournament three years later, again in a tense three-set battle. These victories on German clay underscored his affinity for the surface. Though injuries and consistency challenges kept him from the very top tier, Mayer's peak ranking of 21 in the world and his title wins cemented his status as a respected and dangerous competitor on 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.
Leonardo was born in 1987, 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 Leonardo Was Born
The biggest hits of 1987
#1 Movie
Three Men and a Baby
Best Picture
The Last Emperor
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Leonardo's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1987Born
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
1992Started school
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
2000Became a teenager
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
2003Could drive
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
2005Could vote
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2008Turned 21
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2017Turned 30
#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
2026Age 39 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Achieved a career-high ATP singles ranking of World No. 21 in June 2015.
- Won two ATP Tour singles titles, both at the German Tennis Championships in Hamburg (2014, 2017).
- Defeated then-World No. 1 Andy Murray in the second round of the 2016 Indian Wells Masters.
Did You Know?
He is one of the last professional players to consistently use a one-handed backhand.
Mayer saved a match point in the final against David Ferrer to win his first Hamburg title in 2014.
He represented Argentina in Davis Cup competition, playing both singles and doubles rubbers.
“My backhand is my signature, a weapon I built stroke by stroke on the clay.”
