Lars Ulrich (A World Without The Beatles)

Lars Ulrich (born 26 December 1963) is a retired Danish professional tennis player who was a fixture in the top ranks of tennis from the mid-1980s to the late 2000s. Known for his tenacity and aggressive playstyle, Ulrich earned 24 career singles titles and 12 doubles titles during a career that spanned nearly three decades. He was ranked as high as World No. 5 in singles and made three Grand Slam singles finals appearances. His 2009 retirement marked the end of one of the longest careers in tennis history.

Lars Ulrich

File:Picsart 24-10-23 14-07-58-911.jpg Ulrich in 2007
Country (sports)	Denmark
Born	26 December 1963 (age 61) Gentofte, Denmark
Height	5'5
Turned pro	1980
Retired	2009
Plays	Right-handed (one-handed backhand)
Coach	Torben Ulrich (1980–1987), Nick Bollettieri (1987–1995), Patrick Mouratoglou (2002–2009)
Prize money	$18.2 million
Official website	Ulrich.com
Singles
Career record	Career record: 523–356 Career titles: 24 Highest ranking: No. 5 (May 1988)
Doubles
Career record	Career record: 212–143 Career titles: 12
Grand Slam doubles results
Australian Open	W (1989)
French Open	SF (1988)
Wimbledon	QF (1990, 2004)
US Open	SF (1987, 1990)
Grand Slam mixed doubles results
French Open	QF (2003)
Medal record Olympic Games Bronze medal – 1992 Barcelona (singles)

Ulrich's career longevity and late resurgence in the 2000s solidified his legacy as a top-tier player who adapted to changes in the sport. He is especially remembered for his 1989 Australian Open doubles victory, his bronze medal in singles at the 1992 Olympics, and his career return in the early 2000s after surgery from a previous automobile accident and prior injuries, and a quarterfinal appearance at the 2003 French Open.

Early life and career

Ulrich was born into an upper-middle-class family in Gentofte, Denmark; the son of Lone (née Sylvester-Hvid) and tennis player Torben Ulrich. The family lived at Lundevangsvej 12 in Hellerup. His paternal grandfather was tennis player Einer Ulrich. His paternal grandmother, Ulla Meyer, was from a Jewish family; as a result, Ulrich's grandfather was persecuted by the Nazis during World War II. Saxophonist Dexter Gordon was Ulrich's godfather, and he is a childhood friend of musician Neneh Cherry. As a child, Lars’s other passion was rock music, and he faced an early crossroads in deciding between music and tennis. Ultimately, he chose tennis, though his deep love for music influenced his personal style and off-court persona.

Professional tennis career (1980-2009)

Lars during one of his first few games in 1980

Lars Ulrich turned professional in 1980 and made an immediate impact with his aggressive baseline play, big serves, and attitude, however, he wouldn't achieve popularity until later in the decade. After early career successes, including a first ATP title in 1985, Ulrich reached his peak in the late 1980s. He made his first Grand Slam final at Wimbledon in 1988 and reached two US Open finals in 1988 and 1990. Though he never claimed a Grand Slam singles title, he did win the Australian Open doubles championship in 1989 with Swedish partner Anders Järryd. His powerful serve and strategic net play were critical assets in his doubles success.

Bronze medal, advertising deal, and sidelining (1992-2002)

Ulrich at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics

In 1992, Ulrich secured a bronze medal in singles at the Barcelona Olympics, one of the proudest moments of his career. However, by the mid-1990s, injuries and younger, stronger competition began to slow him down, and many believed his retirement was imminent.

In 1993, Lars Ulrich was involved in a highly successful promotional campaign with Kellogg's for their cereal, Corn Flakes. As part of a broader marketing push, Ulrich appeared on cereal boxes across Europe and North America, promoting the "Breakfast of Champions" slogan. The partnership was part of Kellogg’s campaign to associate its brand with elite athletes. Ulrich’s image—alongside tennis-related trivia—was printed on millions of boxes, and he was featured in several television commercials that aired during key ATP events. This collaboration was one of the first instances of a professional tennis player being used in such a high-profile, mainstream endorsement, and it significantly boosted his international recognition.

Ulrich experienced a significant decline from 1996 to 2001, battling a series of injuries that took him off the top ranks of the ATP Tour as well as a car accident in 2000 near his hometown in Denmark that put him on indefinite hiatus and was reportedly in a deep depression that involved the abuse of painkillers and other types of medication, the addiction being brief and lasting only a couple years before Lars would enter rehab due to a strain in Lars and Skylar Satenstein's relationship and a couple relapses. He refused to retire after being sidelined for a couple years, continuing to compete sporadically. During this period, his ranking dropped considerably, and he struggled to get past the early rounds of tournaments. He also began working with renowned coach Patrick Mouratoglou in 2002, which reignited his passion for the sport.

Later career and retirement (2002-2009)

Lars Ulrich seen having a freak out after being kicked out of a game for having a ball go too long, 2003

Ulrich experienced an unexpected revival. Adapting his game to the slower conditions of modern clay courts, he made an improbable quarterfinal run at the 2003 French Open, 17 years after his first quarterfinal appearance in 1986. In 2003, during the Monte Carlo Masters, Lars Ulrich became the center of controversy after a highly publicized on-court meltdown. While playing against Marat Safin in the second round, Ulrich was penalized for repeatedly hitting balls beyond the baseline during crucial points in the third set. After a disputed line call in the final game, which saw his shot go long, the umpire awarded the point to Safin. Frustrated with the decision, Ulrich angrily confronted the umpire, accusing him of bias. After his repeated objections and refusal to return to the match, the umpire issued a code violation and eventually disqualified Ulrich from the game.

Ulrich's reaction escalated when he smashed his tennis racket against the umpire's chair and kicked over a nearby water cooler. The crowd, initially shocked, watched as Ulrich grabbed a microphone and began berating the officiating, saying, "I've dealt with better judges at an Olympic game. This is a bunch of shit. You're all a bunch of shit." His outburst led to backlash from the audience, and he was quickly escorted off the court by officials.

Following the incident, Ulrich was fined $25,000 by the ATP and received a suspension from the next two tournaments. The outburst became infamous in tennis circles and marked one of the most intense moments of Ulrich's career. It also sparked debate about athlete behavior and the pressure professional players face. In interviews afterward, Ulrich expressed regret for his actions, admitting that his competitive nature and passion for the game got the better of him. However, the incident solidified his reputation as one of the sport's most fiery personalities, and he later referenced the meltdown in his 2006 documentary Rock & Racquet. Despite the controversy, Ulrich returned to the tour later that year, but the 2003 incident remained one of the most talked-about moments of his career.

He credited his improved fitness, tactical changes, and the guidance of Mouratoglou for his resurgence. His strong performances in the early 2000s allowed him to compete with players half his age, and he continued to collect ATP 250 titles, including notable victories on clay in 2004 and 2005.

Despite being well into his 40s, Ulrich continued to compete in doubles, regularly reaching the later stages of major tournaments. He made his final Wimbledon doubles quarterfinal appearance in 2004.

In 2009, at the age of 45, Ulrich officially retired from professional tennis after his final appearance at the Monte Carlo Masters. His longevity, along with his fierce on-court persona, made him a fan favorite until the very end.

Personal life

In 2009, just after announcing his retirement from professional tennis, Ulrich was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame. His induction was particularly notable because of his dual legacy as both an elite athlete and a cultural icon with deep ties to the music world. During his speech, Ulrich reflected on his long career, his influences in tennis, and how his love for music shaped his approach to the sport. The ceremony was attended by tennis legends such as Björn Borg and John McEnroe.

Lars seen at his induction ceremony

After his induction in 2009, Ulrich fully transitioned into a role as a tennis commentator, analyst, and occasional coach. He became a popular figure in tennis media, known for his candid opinions and deep understanding of the game. In 2010, Ulrich founded the Ulrich Tennis Academy in Monaco, focusing on nurturing young talent and teaching players to combine athleticism with mental toughness. His legacy remains as one of the sport’s toughest competitors and one of Denmark’s greatest sporting figures.

Off the court, Ulrich remained heavily involved in old music habits more often, often attending concerts. He has also become a vocal advocate for sports psychology and mental health in tennis, drawing from his own experiences of burnout, drug abuse, and the psychological demands of elite competition.

Ulrich married artist Skylar Satenstein in 1995, with whom he has two children. The couple resides in Monte Carlo, where Lars continues his work with the Ulrich Tennis Academy and remains active in tennis.