Nicolas Kiefer

Nicolas Kiefer is a German former professional tennis player renowned for his shot-making flair, competitive spirit, and memorable runs on the ATP Tour. He reached a career-high singles ranking of World No. 4 in 2000.

He is best remembered for reaching the semifinals of the 2006 Australian Open, winning a silver medal in men’s doubles at the 2004 Athens Olympics.

Player Profile and Personal Life

Nicolas Kiefer was born on July 5, 1977, in Holzminden, West Germany, and later resided in Sievershausen, Germany. Standing 183 cm tall and weighing 80 kg, Kiefer played right-handed with a two-handed backhand.

He turned professional in 1995, quickly establishing himself as a top junior and later a formidable presence on the ATP Tour. Kiefer was known for his intensity on court, unique rituals, and superstitions, such as tapping his racquet on the court corners and reusing balls after winning points.

Junior Career

Kiefer was a standout junior, winning the Australian Open and US Open boys’ singles titles and finishing as the No. 2 junior in the world in 1995. He also reached the final at Wimbledon and the semifinals at the French Open as a junior, setting the stage for a successful professional career.

Career

Kiefer turned professional in 1995 and made an immediate impact, winning his first ATP title in Toulouse in 1997. He enjoyed a breakthrough year in 1999, reaching the semifinals at the Tour Finals and the quarterfinals at Wimbledon.

In January 2000, Kiefer achieved his career-high singles ranking of World No. 4 after a strong Australian summer.

Throughout his career, Kiefer won six ATP singles titles and reached 13 additional finals, including a Masters 1000 final in Toronto in 2008. He was a semifinalist at the 2006 Australian Open, his best Grand Slam singles result, and reached the quarterfinals at both Wimbledon (1997) and the US Open (2000). Kiefer was also a semifinalist at the French Open in 2005 and a regular threat at Masters events, with notable wins over top-10 players.

In doubles, Kiefer claimed three ATP titles and won a silver medal in men’s doubles at the 2004 Athens Olympics alongside Rainer Schüttler. He reached a career-high doubles ranking of No. 56 in 2003.

He retired from professional tennis in December 2010.

Career Record

Singles

• Career Titles: 6
• Highest Singles Ranking: No. 4 (January 10, 2000)
• Final Singles Ranking: Unranked (at retirement, July 6, 2025)
• Career Record: 366–274

Best Grand Slam Singles Performances

• Australian Open – Semifinals (2006)
• French Open – 4th Round (2005)
• Wimbledon – Quarterfinals (1997)
• US Open – Quarterfinals (2000)

Other Tournaments

• Tour Finals – Semifinals (1999)
• Olympic Games – 3rd Round (2004, 2008)

Doubles

• Career Titles: 3
• Highest Doubles Ranking: No. 56 (February 17, 2003)
• Final Doubles Ranking: Unranked (at retirement, July 6, 2025)
• Career Record: 92–123

Best Grand Slam Doubles Performances

• Australian Open – 2nd Round (2004)
• French Open – 1st Round (2001, 2003, 2004)
• Wimbledon – 2nd Round (2003)
• US Open – 1st Round (2002)

Other Tournaments

Olympic Games – Silver Medal (2004, Doubles with Rainer Schüttler)