Lucie Šafářová
A fiery left-hander with a devastating topspin forehand, she rose to the top of doubles while forging a formidable singles career defined by grit.
Born 1987 (age 39)·Czech tennis player·Birthday: February 4·Millennials
Biography
Lucie Šafářová's tennis was a study in contrasts: a petite frame unleashing ferocious, whip-like groundstrokes, particularly a forehand that became one of the WTA's most feared weapons. Hailing from the Czech tennis factory, her path wasn't linear. She announced herself as a teenager with a run to the 2007 Wimbledon semifinals, but consistency at the highest level proved elusive for years. Her breakthrough came in 2015, a season where she reached the French Open final, pushing Serena Williams to three sets, and cracked the world's top five. While singles brought her fame, doubles brought her dominance. Teaming with Bethanie Mattek-Sands, she found a perfect partnership of power and touch, completing a Career Grand Slam in doubles and spending 68 weeks as world No. 1. Her career was also marked by resilience, battling through serious health challenges, including a bacterial infection in 2018, to return to the court.
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.
Lucie 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 Lucie 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
Lucie'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 singles ranking of world No. 5 in 2015 after reaching the French Open final.
- Won seven Grand Slam doubles titles, completing the Career Grand Slam with partner Bethanie Mattek-Sands.
- Spent 68 weeks as the world No. 1 ranked doubles player.
- Won the Fed Cup (now Billie Jean King Cup) five times with the Czech Republic team.
Did You Know?
She and partner Bethanie Mattek-Sands were nicknamed 'The Bucie' (a blend of Bethanie and Lucie).
She is one of only a handful of players to defeat both Serena and Venus Williams at the same Grand Slam tournament, doing so at the 2009 Australian Open.
She was a talented ice hockey player as a child before focusing solely on tennis.
“I fight for every ball with my forehand as my sword.”
