Nadia Petrova
A powerful and consistent Russian force who dominated the doubles circuit and cracked the top three in both singles and doubles.
Born 1982 (age 44)·Russian tennis player·Birthday: June 8·Millennials
Biography
Nadia Petrova's tennis was built on a foundation of raw power and formidable technique. For over a decade, she was a constant and dangerous presence on the WTA Tour, her game centered around a crushing serve and heavy groundstrokes. While she carved out a highly successful singles career, reaching world number three and winning 13 titles, her true mastery was revealed in doubles. Partnering with various elite players, Petrova collected 24 doubles titles, including two majors at the French Open. Her tactical intelligence and rock-solid fundamentals made her one of the most sought-after and reliable partners of her era. Petrova's career represents the model of the complete professional, achieving elite status across both disciplines and amassing over 600 match wins, a testament to her durability and skill.
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.
Nadia 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 Nadia Was Born
The biggest hits of 1982
#1 Movie
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Best Picture
Gandhi
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Nadia'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 ranking of world No. 3 in both singles and doubles, a rare dual-discipline feat.
- Won 24 WTA doubles titles, including the French Open in 2012 with Maria Kirilenko and in 2014 with Timea Babos.
- Captured 13 WTA singles titles, including prestigious Tier I events in Stuttgart and Tokyo.
- Represented Russia in three Olympic Games (2004, 2008, 2012) and was part of two Fed Cup-winning teams (2004, 2008).
- Defeated world No. 1 players like Martina Hingis, Justine Henin, and Amélie Mauresmo during her career.
Did You Know?
Her mother, Nadezhda Ilyina, was a bronze medalist in the 400-meter relay at the 1976 Olympic Games.
She was coached for a time by former men's world No. 1, Gustavo Kuerten.
Petrova is an accomplished pianist and has performed in public.
She struggled with a rare blood disorder, hereditary spherocytosis, throughout her childhood and career.
She won her first WTA singles title in 2005 at the Qatar Total Open, defeating then-world No. 1 Amélie Mauresmo in the semifinals.
“A powerful serve is the best way to start any point.”
