Ivo Karlović facts for kids
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Karlović at the 2018 Wimbledon Championships
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| Country (sports) |  Croatia |
|---|---|
| Residence | Grand Bahama, The Bahamas |
| Born | 28 February 1979 Zagreb, SR Croatia, SFR Yugoslavia |
| Height | 2.11 m (6 ft 11 in) |
| Turned pro | 2000 |
| Retired | 2024 (last match 2021) |
| Plays | Right-handed (one-handed backhand) |
| Prize money | US$10,160,232 |
| Singles | |
| Career record | 371–346 (51.74% in ATP Tour and Grand Slam main draw matches, and in Davis Cup) |
| Career titles | 8 |
| Highest ranking | No. 14 (18 August 2008) |
| Grand Slam singles results | |
| Australian Open | 4R (2010) |
| French Open | 3R (2014, 2016) |
| Wimbledon | QF (2009) |
| US Open | 4R (2016) |
| Other tournaments | |
| Olympic Games | 3R (2004) |
| Doubles | |
| Career record | 91–109 (45.5% in ATP Tour and Grand Slam main draw matches, and in Davis Cup) |
| Career titles | 2 |
| Highest ranking | No. 44 (10 April 2006) |
| Grand Slam doubles results | |
| Australian Open | SF (2010) |
| French Open | 2R (2004, 2011) |
| Wimbledon | 3R (2005) |
| US Open | 2R (2004, 2007, 2011) |
| Grand Slam mixed doubles results | |
| French Open | 1R (2015) |
| Team competitions | |
| Davis Cup | W (2005) |
Ivo Karlović is a former professional tennis player from Croatia. He was born on February 28, 1979. Standing at 211 centimeters (6 feet 11 inches) tall, he is one of the tallest tennis players ever. His height helped him have one of the most powerful serves in tennis history.
Karlović won eight singles titles on the ATP Tour between 2007 and 2016. He was known for his amazing serves, hitting 13,728 career aces. This was a record for many years until John Isner broke it in 2022. Karlović was also famous for his "serve-and-volley" style of play. He officially retired from tennis in February 2024.
Tennis Journey
Early Years (1995–2004)
Ivo Karlović started playing junior tennis in 1995 when he was 16. He didn't play many junior tournaments, but he did beat a young Marat Safin in 1995. He often played doubles with his friend and future top player, Ivan Ljubičić.
Karlović became a professional player in 2000. A big moment in his early career was at Wimbledon in 2003. He surprised everyone by beating the defending champion, Lleyton Hewitt, in his very first Grand Slam match. This was a huge upset! He ended 2003 in the top 100 players.
First Big Finals (2005–2006)
In 2005, Karlović reached his first major final at the Queen's Club Championships in London. He lost to Andy Roddick, another player known for his strong serve. Roddick even said Karlović's serve was "probably the biggest weapon in tennis."
Later that year, Karlović was part of the Croatian team that won the Davis Cup. This was a big achievement for his country. In 2006, he won his first ATP doubles title and reached the top 50 in both singles and doubles rankings.
Winning Titles (2007–2008)
The year 2007 was great for Karlović. He won his first ATP singles title at the U.S. Men's Clay Court Championships in Houston. He then won two more titles that year, one on grass in Nottingham and one on hard court in Stockholm. He was one of only two players that year to win titles on three different types of courts.
In 2008, Karlović continued to play well. He had a memorable win against Roger Federer, who was the world's number one player at the time, at the Cincinnati Masters. He also beat Novak Djokovic, another top player, at the Madrid Masters.
Grand Slam Quarterfinal (2009)
At Wimbledon in 2009, Karlović made it to his first-ever Grand Slam quarterfinal. He beat strong players like Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Fernando Verdasco before losing to Roger Federer.
He also played a very long Davis Cup match in 2009, where he hit a record-breaking 78 aces. This record was later broken by John Isner.
Later Career and Milestones (2010–2021)
In 2010, Karlović reached the fourth round of the 2010 Australian Open, his best result there. He had to take some time off due to a foot injury that year.
Between 2011 and 2013, Karlović faced some challenges, including a serious illness called viral meningitis. He recovered and returned to the tour, winning his fifth ATP title in Bogota in 2013.
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He continued to reach finals in 2014 and 2015, showing his lasting skill. In 2016, at 37 years old, he won two more ATP titles, becoming the oldest player to win an ATP title since 1979. This showed how incredibly long he stayed competitive in tennis.
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In 2017, at the Australian Open, he set a new tournament record by hitting 75 aces in a single match. He kept playing into his late 30s and early 40s, often being the oldest player in tournaments. In 2019, at almost 40, he became the oldest player to reach an ATP final since 1977. He also became the oldest player to win a match at an ATP Masters 1000 event.
Karlović played his last professional match in 2021 at the US Open. He officially announced his retirement in February 2024.
Playing Style
Ivo Karlović was known for his very strong and attacking style of play. His best weapon was his serve, which was incredibly powerful because of his height. Many people consider his serve one of the best in tennis history. He hit 13,762 aces during his career, which is the second-highest number in ATP history.
Besides his huge serve, Karlović also had a strong forehand. He often used a slice shot on his backhand side, sending the ball deep into his opponent's court.
Karlović was also famous for his "serve-and-volley" tactic. After serving, he would quickly run to the net to hit the ball back, often making it hard for opponents to return his powerful serves. His skill at the net was a key part of his game.
Serving Records
Karlović once hit 78 aces in a single Davis Cup match in 2009. His fastest official serve was 251 kilometers per hour (156 mph), which was an ATP record for a while. He also holds the record for the fastest second serve ever recorded, at 232 kilometers per hour (144 mph).
He was one of only a few players to serve over 1,000 aces in a single season, and he was the second player ever to hit over 10,000 career aces.
Personal Life
Ivo Karlović is married to Alsi, and they have a daughter named Jada Valentina, born in 2011. Outside of tennis, he enjoys playing basketball. He is also known for his funny posts on social media.
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See also
In Spanish: Ivo Karlović para niños
