Ivo Karlovic

Ivo Karlović is a Croatian former professional tennis player, most notable for his towering height of 211 cm, which makes him the joint-tallest ranked tennis player in history. He won eight singles titles on the ATP Tour and for a time held the record for both the fastest serve and most career aces. He reached a career-high ranking of World No. 14 on August 18, 2008.

Player Profile and Personal Life

Ivo Karlović was born on February 28, 1979, in Zagreb, Croatia. He stands 211 cm tall, a height that defined his playing style, and he plays right-handed with a one-handed backhand. He currently resides in Grand Bahama in The Bahamas.

During his childhood, his father, Vlado, worked as a meteorologist, and his mother, Gordana, worked in agriculture. Karlović married his wife, Alsi, in March 2005. Their first child, a daughter named Jada Valentina, was born in September 2011.

Karlović is known for his humorous Twitter account and for his love of playing basketball.

Professional Career

Karlović turned professional in 2000. His career was defined by his incredible height and powerful serve, which made him one of the most feared servers on the tour.

He officially held the record for the fastest serve in professional tennis, measured at 251 km/h, and was one of only five players to surpass 10,000 career aces before John Isner broke his record in 2022.

Between 2007 and 2016, Karlović won eight singles titles on the ATP Tour. He achieved his career-high singles ranking of World No. 14 in August 2008. His best Grand Slam singles performance was reaching the quarterfinals of the Wimbledon Championships in 2009.

He also made it to the fourth round of both the Australian Open in 2010 and the US Open in 2016. In doubles, he won two titles and was part of the Croatian team that won the Davis Cup in 2005. His last tour win came in the first round of the Hall of Fame Open in 2021 at age 42. He was the oldest player to win an ATP Tour match since Jimmy Connors in 1995.

Karlović officially announced his retirement from professional tennis in February 2024, more than two years after playing his last tournament match.

Career Record

Singles

• Career record: 371–346
• Career titles: 8
• Highest ranking: No. 14 (August 18, 2008)

Best Grand Slam Singles Performances

• Australian Open – 4R (2010)
• French Open – 3R (2014, 2016)
• Wimbledon – QF (2009)
• US Open – 4R (2016)

Other tournaments (Singles)

• Olympic Games – 3R (2004)

Doubles

• Career record: 91–109
• Career titles: 2
• Highest ranking: No. 44 (April 10, 2006)

Best Grand Slam Doubles Performances

• Australian Open – SF (2010)
• French Open – 2R (2004, 2011)
• Wimbledon – 3R (2005)
• US Open – 2R (2004, 2007, 2011)

Mixed Doubles

Best Grand Slam Mixed Doubles Performances

• French Open – 1R (2015)

Team competitions

• Davis Cup – W (2005)