Tommy Robredo
A Spanish tennis warrior known for his relentless baseline grit and a remarkable comeback from a career-threatening wrist injury.
Born 1982 (age 44)·Spanish tennis player·Birthday: May 1·Millennials
Biography
Tommy Robredo cracked the world's top 5 in 2006, a peak built on clay-court mastery that included a stunning victory at the Hamburg Masters over rivals like Radek Štěpánek and Mario Ančić. Over seventeen years on the ATP Tour, he relied not on overpowering weapons but on stubborn consistency, fighting spirit, and a sublime one-handed backhand. While a Grand Slam singles title eluded him, he reached major quarterfinals on all three surfaces. His resilience shone brightest in 2013, after a severe wrist injury. Returning ranked outside the top 400, he won three consecutive matches from two sets down at the French Open, a modern-era feat. Robredo's game was a study in intelligent point construction, making him a formidable opponent across generations.
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.
Tommy 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 Tommy Was Born
The biggest hits of 1982
#1 Movie
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Best Picture
Gandhi
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Tommy'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
- Achieved a career-high singles ranking of World No. 5 in August 2006.
- Won the ATP Masters 1000 title in Hamburg in 2006, defeating three top-15 players.
- Reached the quarterfinal stage at all four Grand Slam tournaments during his career.
- Won 12 ATP Tour singles titles and represented Spain in Davis Cup victories.
Did You Know?
He is one of only three men in the Open Era to win three consecutive Grand Slam matches from two sets down (2013 French Open).
Robredo defeated world number one Roger Federer in straight sets at the 2013 US Open.
He is an avid fan of FC Barcelona and has been seen celebrating with the team in their locker room.
He launched his own line of tennis apparel and accessories called 'TR'.
“You must fight for every ball, because the match is never over until the last point.”
