Radek Štěpánek
A cunning and unorthodox tennis tactician who used guile, touch, and sheer will to climb into the world's top ten and become a Davis Cup hero.
Born 1978 (age 48)·Czech tennis player·Birthday: November 27·Generation X
Biography
Radek Štěpánek played tennis like a chess master in sneakers. In an era of power baseliners, the Czech player relied on a crafty, varied game—sliced backhands, deft volleys, and unpredictable drop shots—that often left stronger opponents flummoxed. His road to the top was arduous, plagued by injuries that required a relentless work ethic to overcome. His breakthrough came in his late twenties, a testament to his perseverance, when he cracked the world's top 10 in 2006. That same year, he reached the Wimbledon quarterfinals, his best Grand Slam singles result. Štěpánek's true crowning achievements, however, came in team competition. He was the emotional linchpin of the Czech Republic's Davis Cup squad, playing with a patriotic fervor that elevated his game. In both 2012 and 2013, he won the clinching final match to secure the Davis Cup trophy for his nation. His doubles success was equally impressive, forming a brilliant partnership with Leander Paes to win the 2012 Australian Open, defeating the dominant Bryan brothers in a classic final.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Radek was born in 1978, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Radek Was Born
The biggest hits of 1978
#1 Movie
Grease
Best Picture
The Deer Hunter
#1 TV Show
Laverne & Shirley
Radek's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1978Born
First test-tube baby born
Gas: $0.63/galHome: $35,300Min wage: $2.65/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Shadow Dancing" — Andy GibbBest Picture: The Deer Hunter
1983Started school
Internet adopts TCP/IP, creating the modern internet
Gas: $1.16/galHome: $57,700Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Every Breath You Take" — The PoliceBest Picture: Terms of Endearment
1991Became a teenager
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
1994Could drive
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
1996Could vote
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
1999Turned 21
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2008Turned 30
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
2018Turned 40
Royal wedding of Harry and Meghan; Parkland shooting
Gas: $2.72/galHome: $211,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"God's Plan" — DrakeBest Picture: Green Book
2026Age 48 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the decisive final match to clinch the Davis Cup for the Czech Republic in both 2012 and 2013.
- Captured the men's doubles title at the 2012 Australian Open with partner Leander Paes.
- Achieved a career-high singles ranking of World No. 8 in 2006.
- Reached the quarterfinals of Wimbledon in 2006 and the finals of two ATP Masters 1000 events.
Did You Know?
He was known for his intense, sometimes eccentric, on-court demeanor and pre-serve rituals.
Štěpánek was engaged to and had a child with former World No. 1 tennis player Nicole Vaidišová.
He won five ATP Tour singles titles and 18 doubles titles in his career.
His playing style earned him the nickname 'The Worm' for his tricky, slippery court movement.
“I play tennis like chess, always thinking two shots ahead.”
