Philipp Petzschner
A German doubles specialist whose powerful serve and volley game brought him Grand Slam glory and a top-ten ranking.
Born 1984 (age 42)·German tennis player·Birthday: March 24·Millennials
Biography
Philipp Petzschner carved out a successful career on the ATP Tour not as a singles headline act, but as a formidable and clever doubles competitor. The German, with a game built on a punishing serve and crisp net play, found his perfect foil in Austrian Jürgen Melzer. Together, they formed a lefty-righty partnership that peaked at Wimbledon in 2010, capturing the men's doubles title in a thrilling five-set final. Petzschner's game was one of controlled aggression, and his chemistry with Melzer took them to the world's top ten. While his singles career had moments, including a win over Andy Roddick, it was in the teamwork of doubles where his tactical mind and forceful strokes truly shone.
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.
Philipp was born in 1984, 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 Philipp Was Born
The biggest hits of 1984
#1 Movie
Beverly Hills Cop
Best Picture
Amadeus
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Philipp's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1984Born
Apple Macintosh introduced
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $59,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"When Doves Cry" — PrinceBest Picture: Amadeus
1989Started school
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1997Became a teenager
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2000Could drive
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
2002Could vote
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2005Turned 21
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
2014Turned 30
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
2024Turned 40
AI reshapes industries; Paris Olympics
Gas: $3.31/galHome: $372,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Espresso" — Sabrina CarpenterBest Picture: Anora
2026Age 42 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the Wimbledon gentlemen's doubles title in 2010 with partner Jürgen Melzer.
- Achieved a career-high doubles ranking of World No. 9 in April 2011.
- Won the boys' singles title at the US Open Junior championships in 2001.
- Captured five ATP Tour doubles titles during his professional career.
Did You Know?
He is the nephew of former German tennis professional Dirk Dier.
Petzschner served as the tournament director for the ATP 250 event in Munich after his retirement.
He won his first ATP Tour singles title on grass at the Hall of Fame Tennis Championships in Newport in 2009.
He and Jürgen Melzer were known as the 'Melzer-Petzschner Express' during their doubles partnership.
“A good doubles team moves as one mind on the court.”
