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.
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Lars.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
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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
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.