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Earlier today I wrote an article about the tallest tennis player ever, so I figured why not go the opposite way?
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Male:
The shortest male tennis player is Olivier Rochus, from Namur, Belgium. Rochus is just 5 ft 6 inches tall. He was Roger Federer’s partner when they both played in the junior circuit. Now he has won two singles titles and also took the 2004 French Open doubles title with his partner Xavier Malisse. His height doesn’t really hinder him on the court, but it’s probably pretty easy to hit a lob over him when he’s at the net!
Oliver Rochus
Female:
There is yet again a tie in the women’s category. The three-way tie for
shortest female tennis player is between Jill Craybas, Camille Pin, and Anna Smashnova, who are all 5’3”. Anna Smashnova, besides having an awesome last name, has reached world #15, which was her highest ranking in her career. She retired from the WTA tour after Wimbledon in 2007. Camille’s highest achievement was probably when she came within two points of defeating top seeded
Maria Sharapova in the first round of the 2007 Australian Open. Jill Craybas is best known for her victory at Wimbledon in 2005 over
Serena Williams in the 3rd round.
Jill Craybas
Camille Pin
Anna Smashnova (left)
Do you think being short is advantageous in tennis or does it affect a player’s game negatively?
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