The Greatest German Tennis Players of All Time

Germany has a rich history of producing talented tennis players, both male and female. Many of these players have gone on to achieve great success in the sport, and have become household names around the world. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at some of the greatest German tennis players of all time, including their achievements, playing style, and legacy.

Steffi Graf – The Queen of Tennis

Steffi Graf is undoubtedly one of the greatest female tennis players of all time. She was born on June 14, 1969, in Mannheim, Germany. Graf had a highly successful career, winning 22 Grand Slam singles titles, which is the second-highest number of major wins in female competition since the introduction of the Open Era in 1968. Graf achieved many other milestones in her career, including becoming the only tennis player to achieve the Golden Slam by winning all four Grand Slam singles titles and the Olympic gold medal in the same calendar year in 1988.

Graf was known for her versatility across all playing surfaces, footwork, and powerful forehand drive. Her aggressive game played from the baseline has been credited with developing the modern style of play that dominates today’s game.

Graf held the world No. 1 ranking by the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) for a record 377 total weeks, which is the longest period any player, male or female, has held the number-one ranking since the WTA and the Association of Tennis Professionals began issuing rankings. Graf won 107 singles titles, which ranks her third on the WTA’s all-time list after Martina Navratilova (167 titles) and Chris Evert (157 titles).

In 1999, Graf was named the greatest female tennis player of the 20th century by a panel of experts assembled by the Associated Press. In 2004, she received her induction into the Tennis Hall of Fame.

Boris Becker – The German Wunderkind

Boris Becker burst onto the tennis scene in the 1980s as a teenager with a powerful serve and a fearless playing style. He won his first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon in 1985 at the age of 17, becoming the youngest men’s singles champion in history. Becker went on to win five major titles in total, including three Wimbledon titles and two Australian Open titles.

Becker’s playing style was characterized by his big serve and his aggressive net play. He was known for his quick reflexes and his ability to anticipate his opponent’s shots. Becker was also known for his mental toughness and his ability to come back from seemingly impossible situations.

Becker retired from professional tennis in 1999, with a total of 49 singles titles to his name. In 2003, he received his induction into the Tennis Hall of Fame.

Tommy Haas – A Fighter on and off the Court

Tommy Haas, born on April 3, 1978, is a former German professional tennis player who competed on the ATP Tour from 1996 to 2017. Haas’s career was marked by various injuries that forced him to miss a considerable amount of time on the court. Despite the setbacks, he still managed to climb the ranks and become world No. 2 in May 2002, a remarkable achievement for any athlete.

Injuries, however, would continue to plague Haas throughout his career, with his first prolonged absence coming in 2003 when he missed the entire season. He fought back to re-enter the top 10 in 2007 before another injury layoff from February 2010 to June 2011. He returned to the tour and once again climbed the rankings, reaching world No. 11 in 2013. Haas was an inspiration to many for his fighting spirit and unwavering determination.

Michael Stich – A Wimbledon Champion

Michael Stich, born on October 18, 1968, is a former professional tennis player from Germany. The apex of his career was when he won the men’s singles title at Wimbledon in 1991. Stich also won the men’s doubles titles at both Wimbledon and the Olympic Games in 1992 and reached a career-high singles ranking of World No. 2 in 1993.

Stich’s powerful serve and volley style of play made him a formidable opponent on grass courts, which was evident from his victory at Wimbledon. Stich won 18 singles titles and 10 doubles titles in his career and is considered one of the greatest German tennis players of all time.

Nicolas Kiefer – A Versatile Athlete

Nicolas Kiefer, born on July 5, 1977, is a former German professional tennis player. He was known for his all-around game and reached the semifinals of the 2006 Australian Open. Kiefer’s career-high singles ranking was world No. 4, achieved in January 2000.

Kiefer also won a silver medal in men’s doubles with partner Rainer Schüttler at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, showcasing his versatility in both singles and doubles competitions. His strong forehand and quick movement on the court made him a formidable opponent and a beloved player among fans.

Julia Görges – A Bright Future

Julia Görges, born on November 2, 1988, is a German professional tennis player. Görges turned professional in 2005 and quickly rose through the ranks, breaking into the world’s top 100 in June 2008. Her biggest title came at the year-end 2017 WTA Elite Trophy, and she has won seven singles and five doubles titles on the WTA Tour.

Görges achieved her career-high singles ranking of No. 9 on August 20, 2018, after reaching the semifinals at the 2018 Wimbledon Championships. She is an exciting player to watch, known for her powerful serve and aggressive baseline game. Görges is a bright prospect for German tennis and has already inspired many young players in the country.

Julia Görges: The Rise of a German Tennis Star

If you’re a tennis fan, you’ve likely heard of Julia Görges. Born on November 2, 1988, in Bad Oldesloe, Germany, Görges is a professional tennis player who has made a name for herself on the WTA Tour. She has won seven singles and five doubles titles on the WTA Tour and six singles and six doubles titles on the ITF Women’s Circuit.

Görges turned pro in 2005 and started climbing the ranks in 2008 when she broke into the world’s top 100. She reached her doublespeak of No. 12 on August 22, 2016. However, it wasn’t until February 2018 that she broke into the top ten for the first time. That same year, she reached the semifinals at the Wimbledon Championships and achieved her career-high singles ranking of No. 9 on August 20, 2018.

With her impressive record, it’s no wonder that Görges has become a household name in the tennis world. Fans and analysts alike appreciate her dedication and skill, and she has become a source of inspiration for aspiring tennis players around the world.

Philipp Kohlschreiber: A German Tennis Pro’s Career

Another German tennis player who has made waves on the ATP World Tour is Philipp Kohlschreiber. Born on October 16, 1983, in Augsburg, Germany, Kohlschreiber is a right-hander who has won eight singles and seven doubles titles on the ATP World Tour.

Kohlschreiber’s career highlights include making the quarterfinals at the 2012 Wimbledon Championships and reaching his highest ATP singles ranking of world No. 16 in July 2012. With his impressive skills and hard work, Kohlschreiber has become a respected figure in the tennis community.

Anke Huber: A Trailblazing Tennis Player

Anke Huber is a retired German tennis player who made her mark on the sport in the 1990s. Born on December 4, 1974, in Bruchsal, Germany, Huber was the runner-up in women’s singles at the 1996 Australian Open. Her career-high singles ranking was world No. 4, also in 1996.

Huber’s success as a tennis player helped pave the way for other women in the sport. She inspired countless young girls to pursue their dreams and showed the world that women could be just as fierce and competitive as their male counterparts.

Claudia Kohde-Kilsch: A Tennis Champion with a Conscience

Claudia Kohde-Kilsch is a former German tennis player who made her mark on the sport in the 1980s and 1990s. Born on December 11, 1963, in Saarbrücken, Germany, Kohde-Kilsch won two women’s doubles Grand Slam titles and eight singles titles during her career.

What sets Kohde-Kilsch apart from other tennis champions is her commitment to social justice. She is a member of Die Linke, a left-wing political party in Germany, and has spoken out about issues such as income inequality and the treatment of refugees. Kohde-Kilsch is proof that athletes can use their platform to make a positive impact on the world.

Gottfried von Cramm: A Tennis Legend who Refused to be a Pawn of the Nazis

Gottfried von Cramm is one of the most celebrated German tennis players in history. Born in Söhlde, Germany on July 7, 1909, Cramm became a two-time French Open champion, ranked second in the world in 1934 and 1936, and number one in the world in 1937. In 1977, he was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame for his exceptional skills and contribution to the sport.

Although Cramm represented Germany during the Nazi regime’s rise to power, he refused to be exploited as a symbol of Aryan supremacy. Despite his appearance and skill, the tennis legend refused to identify with Nazism. As a result, he was persecuted by the German government, leading to his brief imprisonment in 1938.

However, Cramm is most remembered for his gallant effort in defeat against Don Budge in the 1937 Interzone Final at Wimbledon. According to the International Tennis Hall of Fame, this match was one of the greatest tennis battles of all time, and Cramm’s sportsmanship and dignity in defeat earned him immense respect and admiration.

Anna-Lena Grönefeld: A Rising Star in German Tennis

Anna-Lena Grönefeld is a talented German tennis player who turned professional in April 2003. Born on June 4, 1985, in Nordhorn, Germany, Grönefeld was trained and coached by Rafael Font de Mora in Scottsdale, Arizona until 2006. Since then, former professional German tennis player Dirk Dier has been her coach.

Grönefeld has shown impressive performances on the court, and her dedication and hard work have earned her recognition in the world of tennis. She currently resides in Saarbrücken and continues to train and compete with a strong passion for the sport.

Julia Schruff: A Versatile Tennis Player with Impressive Wins

Julia Schruff is a retired German tennis player who reached a career-high WTA ranking of No. 52 on April 17, 2006. Born on August 16, 1982, in Augsburg, Germany, Schruff had her breakthrough in 2003 when she reached the final at the Estoril Open in Portugal as a qualifier.

Throughout her career, Schruff has achieved notable victories against top-ranked players, including Anastasia Myskina at the 2005 Qatar Total German Open and Elena Dementieva at the 2006 Australian Open. She also notched wins against Jelena Janković, Katarina Srebotnik, Flavia Pennetta, Jelena Dokić, Elena Likhovtseva, and Alona Bondarenko.

Schruff won her first ITF tournament in Latina, Lazio, where she defeated fellow German Andrea Petkovic in the final.

Andrea Petkovic: A Top-10 German Tennis Player

Andrea Petkovic is a German tennis player born on September 9, 1987, in Tuzla, Bosnia, and Herzegovina. She moved to Germany with her family at six months old and turned professional in 2006 at the age of 18.

Petkovic has been a top-10 player in the world, reaching a career-high singles ranking of No. 9 on October 10, 2011. In the same year, she played in the quarterfinals of three Grand Slam tournaments and reached a Premier Mandatory final at the China Open. She also qualified as an alternate to the WTA Tour Championships.

Mona Barthel – Rising Star

Mona Barthel is a talented tennis player from Germany. Born on 11 July 1990 in Bad Segeberg, she started playing tennis at a young age and quickly showed promise. She has won four singles and three doubles titles on the WTA tour, as well as five singles and one doubles title on the ITF circuit, demonstrating her remarkable skills. Barthel reached her best singles ranking of world number 23 on 18 March 2013, a testament to her hard work and dedication.

Bernd Karbacher – A Solid Career

Bernd Karbacher, born on 3 April 1968, is a retired professional tennis player from Germany. He had a successful career, winning two singles titles, including Cologne in 1992, and reaching the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam tournament twice. His highest ATP singles ranking was World No. 22, and he was also ranked World No. 163 in doubles. He retired from professional tennis in 2000 and has since served as the president of the German players’ organization “Tennis Germany.”

Barbara Rittner – A Leader On and Off the Court

Barbara Rittner, born on 25 April 1973, is a former professional tennis player from Germany. Her highest-ever position was No. 24 in the world, which she attained on February 1st, 1993. She won her first WTA Tour title in 1992 and later won her second title at the Belgian Open in Antwerp, almost nine years later. Rittner has three doubles titles with three different partners, and her best performances at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open are in the third round in both. She currently serves as the captain of the German Fed Cup team and became the team’s captain in January 2005.

Udo Riglewski – A Doubles Specialist

Udo Riglewski, born on 28 July 1966, was a former professional tennis player from Germany. He achieved most of his tennis success while playing doubles, winning 10 doubles titles and finishing runner-up an additional 10 times. He demonstrated his abilities and love for the game by reaching a career-high doubles ranking of World No. 6 in 1991.

Jürgen Fassbender – A Skilled Tennis Pro

Jürgen Fassbender, born on 28 May 1948, is a retired professional tennis player for West Germany. He won three singles and fifteen doubles titles on the ATP Tour, and his best Grand Slam singles result was reaching the quarterfinals at the 1973 Wimbledon Championships. In doubles, he reached the semifinals at the 1973 French Open and the 1973 and 1975 Wimbledon Championships. He played in 23 ties for the German Davis Cup team between 1968 and 1979, compiling a record of 20 wins and 14 losses.

Tobias Kamke – Up and Coming Talent

Tobias Kamke, born on 21 May 1986, is a German professional tennis player. He demonstrated his potential as a rising star in the tennis world by reaching his highest singles ranking of 64 in January 2011.

Andreas Beck: From Weingarten to Monte Carlo

Andreas Beck was born in Weingarten, Württemberg, Germany, on February 5, 1986. He turned pro in 2003 and reached a career-high singles ranking of world No. 33 in November 2009. One of his most notable achievements was reaching the quarterfinals of the 2009 Monte Carlo Masters as a qualifier.

Meike Babel: A Successful Career on the WTA Tour

Meike Babel was born on November 22, 1974, in Langen, Germany. She had a successful career on the WTA Tour, ranking as high as No. 27 in singles and No. 45 in doubles. After retiring from professional tennis, Babel became a women’s tennis assistant coach at Tulane University and at Vanderbilt University.

Isabel Cueto: A Top-20 Ranking in 1989

Isabel Cueto was born on December 3, 1968, in Kehl, Germany. She turned pro in 1983 and reached a career-high ranking of world No. 20 in 1989. Cueto had a successful career, with several notable achievements, including reaching the quarterfinals of the 1989 Australian Open.

Jana Kandarr: Overcoming the Odds

Jana Kandarr was born on September 21, 1976, in Halle, Saxony-Anhalt, East Germany. Although left-handed, Kandarr is known for using her right hand when playing. Her most significant achievement was reaching the final sixteen of the Australian Open in 2000, where she won six three-set matches in a row before being forced to retire against ninth seed Julie Halard-Decugis. Kandarr retired from professional tennis in 2005 but still plays occasionally in the women’s tennis Bundesliga for TC 1899 Blau-Weiss Berlin.

Simon Stadler: A Retired Left-Handed Tennis Player

Simon Stadler was born on July 20, 1983, in Heidelberg, West Germany. He turned pro in 2002 and reached a career-high single ranking of world No. 140 in February 2009 and a career-high doubles ranking of world No. 52 in February 2014.

Silke Meier: Victories Against Top Players

Silke Meier was born on July 13, 1968, in Kaiserslautern, Germany. She played on the WTA tour from 1985 to 1999 and reached the third round of the US Open in 1990. Over her career, she recorded victories against Jana Novotná, Helena Suková, and Manuela Maleeva.

Andrea Glass: German Tennis Champion

Andrea Glass was born on July 17, 1976, in Darmstadt, Germany. In February 1999, the same year she advanced to the third round of the Australian Open, she attained a singles ranking that was a career-high, rising to No. 53 in the world. In addition, Glass and Barbara Rittner won the 1997 German Tennis Championship in both singles and doubles. She played for Germany in the Fed Cup from 1997 to 2001.

Daniel Elsner: A Former Professional Tennis Player

Daniel Elsner, born on January 4th, 1979, is a former professional German tennis player. He turned pro in 1997, and throughout his career, he managed to win 4 singles titles and 9 doubles titles. Although he never achieved the same level of success as some of his compatriots, he was still able to make a name for himself in the tennis world.

Philipp Petzschner: A Powerhouse on the Court

Philipp Petzschner is another former professional German tennis player who is known for his hard-hitting forehand and bursts of speed around the court. Born on March 24th, 1984, Petzschner turned pro in 2001. His career-high doubles ranking is world No. 9, which he achieved in April 2011. He won two doubles Grand Slam titles, the 2010 Wimbledon Championships, and the 2011 US Open.

Claudia Porwik: A Former WTA Tennis Player

Claudia Porwik is a former professional tennis player from Germany. She was born on November 14th, 1968, in Coburg, West Germany, and played on the WTA tour from 1986 to 1996. In 1988 and 1990, she advanced to the Australian Open quarterfinals and semifinals, respectively. With victories over Conchita Martnez and Gabriela Sabatini in her career, she ended her career with a 195–191 record.

Markus Hantschk: Two-Time ATP Finalist

Markus Hantschk, born on November 19th, 1977, is a former tennis player from Germany. He was active between 1996 and 2006, and during his career, he reached two singles finals in ATP tournaments, both in 2000. He was known for his aggressive style of play and his powerful serve.

Christopher Kas: Former ATP Player Turned Coach

Christopher Kas is a retired German professional tennis player who achieved a career-high singles ranking of World No. 224 in November 2002. His career-high in doubles is World No. 17, achieved in February 2012. Along with Sabine Lisicki, he placed fourth in the mixed doubles competition at the 2012 Summer Olympics. In January 2015, Lisicki appointed him to her coaching team.

Dieter Kindlmann: From Hitting Partner to Coach

Dieter Kindlmann, born on June 3rd, 1982, is a German former professional tennis player, hitting partner, and current coach. He reached his highest individual ranking on the ATP Tour on July 26th, 2004, when he became World number 130. After retiring as a player, he served as Maria Sharapova’s hitting partner since 2013. Later he joined the coaching team of successively Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Laura Robson, and then Madison Keys, helping the American reach her first Grand Slam final in September 2017. Since July 2018, he has become a head coach, accompanying another WTA pro on the women’s tour: Elise Mertens.

Denis Gremelmayr – An Overview of the Former German Tennis Player

Denis Gremelmayr is a retired German male tennis player who was born on August 16, 1981, in Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg. He turned professional in 2000 and achieved a career-high singles ranking of World No. 59 in May 2008.

Gremelmayr’s tennis career was marked by some notable performances. In 2008, he reached the semifinals of three ATP tournaments, namely Estoril, Barcelona, and Los Angeles. Unfortunately, he lost to three of the greatest tennis players of all time, namely Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Andy Roddick, respectively.

Jasmin Wöhr – A Retired German Tennis Player with Multiple Titles

Jasmin Wöhr is a retired German tennis player born on August 21, 1980, in Tübingen, Germany. She turned professional in 1999 and had a successful career with several titles to her name.

On the WTA Tour, Wöhr won four doubles titles, and one singles title, and on the ITF Women’s Circuit, she won 23 doubles titles. Her best singles ranking on the WTA Tour was world No. 188, achieved on December 14, 1998. She peaked at No. 46 in doubles on July 23, 2007, which was a career-high. Wöhr is 3-1 in wins and losses while representing Germany in the Fed Cup.

One of the highlights of Wöhr’s tennis career was winning the Australian Open girls’ doubles title in 1997 with Mirjana Lučić. She retired from playing professional tennis in 2012.

Angelika Bachmann – A Former German Tennis Player with Impressive Rankings

Angelika Bachmann is a former professional German tennis player born on May 16, 1979. Her highest WTA singles ranking was 130th, which she achieved on April 17, 2000. She also reached a career-high doubles ranking of world no. 90, which she achieved on December 18, 2000.

Bachmann had a long and successful career, but she eventually retired from tennis in 2010. She is remembered as a talented player who achieved impressive rankings during her time in the sport.

Simon Greul – A Retired German Male Tennis Player with a Career High of No. 55

Simon Greul is a retired German male tennis player who was born on April 13, 1981, in Stuttgart, Germany. He turned professional in 2000 and achieved a career-high singles ranking of World No. 55 on March 22, 2010.

Greul had a respectable career as a tennis player, and his highest ranking reflects his talent and dedication to the sport. While he did not win any major tournaments, his consistent performance and hard work earned him a reputation as a skilled and reliable player.

Hans-Jürgen Pohmann – A Former Professional Tennis Player and Commentator

Hans-Jürgen Pohmann is a former professional tennis player from Germany who was born on May 23, 1947. Pohmann won two singles titles and five doubles titles on the ATP Tour throughout the course of his career. He retired from professional tennis and became a commentator for the German television network RBB.

As a commentator, Pohmann shared his vast knowledge and experience of the sport with fans and viewers. His insights and analysis were highly valued, and he played an important role in promoting tennis in Germany.