Anna-Lena Grönefeld is a German former professional tennis player. During her career spanning from 2003 to 2019, she achieved significant success in both singles and doubles competitions.
Anna-Lena Grönefeld’s Biography
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Anna-Lena Grönefeld (now Herzgerodt) |
| Nationality | German |
| Date of Birth | June 4, 1985 |
| Age | 39 years |
| Place of Birth | Nordhorn, Germany |
| Height | 180 cm (5’11”) |
| Weight | 73-75 kg |
| Playing Hand | Right-handed with two-handed backhand |
| Professional Career | 2003-2019 |
| Coach | Dirk Dier |
| Career Prize Money | $4,662,620 |
| Career Singles Record | 287:205 |
| Career Titles | Singles: 1 WTA, 12 ITF |
| Highest Singles Ranking | 14 (April 17, 2006) |
| Started Playing Tennis | At age 5 |
| Training Location | Tennisakademie of Rafael Font de Mora (Scottsdale, Arizona) |
| Equipment Sponsor | Adidas |
| Current Status | Retired (2019) |
| Marital Status | Married to Ingo Herzgerodt (December 2018) |
Anna-Lena Grönefeld was born on June 4, 1985, in Nordhorn, Germany. Growing up in this Lower Saxony town, she began her journey in tennis at the age of 5.
Career
Anna-Lena Grönefeld launched her professional career in 2003 after an impressive junior career where she became the first German since 1957 to win the French Open junior title. She also achieved the World No. 1 ranking in both singles and doubles disciplines.
Singles
Gronefeld’s breakthrough in singles came in 2005 when she rose 54 places in the rankings. During this period, she reached the third round of three Grand Slam tournaments – the Australian Open, French Open, and US Open.
In 2006, Gronefeld captured her first and only WTA singles title at the Mexican Open in Acapulco. Her most significant Grand Slam achievement came that same year when she reached the quarterfinals of the French Open, ultimately losing to Justine Henin.
In 2007, Grönefeld faced a challenging period in her career, experiencing a significant drop in form. Her ranking fell below the top 100 for the first time since 2004, leading her to take a break from the tour in August 2007.
However, she made a strong comeback in 2008, winning several ITF titles and reaching the fourth round of the US Open, where she notably defeated top-20 players Daniela Hantuchová and Alizé Cornet.
Doubles
While she had success in singles, Grönefeld’s most significant achievements came in doubles tennis. Throughout her career, she won 17 doubles titles and reached seven Grand Slam semifinals.
Her partnership with various players proved fruitful, particularly in mixed doubles, where she claimed two Grand Slam titles – the 2009 Wimbledon Championships with Mark Knowles and the 2014 French Open with Jean-Julien Rojer.
In her later career, Grönefeld focused primarily on doubles competition. Her final year on tour in 2019 was particularly successful, as she partnered with Demi Schuurs to reach three Premier 5 finals in Rome, Toronto, and Cincinnati.
She concluded her career at the 2019 WTA Finals, where she and Schuurs reached the semifinals. At age 34, she retired from professional tennis to pursue her dream of starting a family, ending her career ranked World No. 11 in doubles.
Husband
Anna-Lena Grönefeld married her long-time partner Ingo Herzgerodt in Hanover in December 2018. After her marriage, she took the married name Herzgerodt.
Ingo Herzgerodt works as a tennis trainer at the TennisBase in Hanover. The couple had been in a long-term relationship before tying the knot, and they currently make their home in Hanover.
Anna-Lena Grönefeld’s Net Worth Details
Anna-Lena Gronefeld’s net worth is estimated to be $5 million as of 2025, primarily through tournament winnings, though her total career earnings likely included additional income from endorsements and sponsorships.
Prize Money
| Year | Prize Money (USD) |
| 2020 | 511,546 |
| 2019 | 511,546 |
| 2018 | 511,546 |
| 2017 | 342,322 |
| 2016 | 272,322 |
| 2015 | 262,322 |
| 2014 | 1,402,322 |
| 2013 | 300,000 |
| 2012 | 250,000 |
| 2011 | 150,000 |
| 2010 | 130,000 |
| 2009 | 120,000 |
| 2008 | 110,000 |
| 2007 | 100,000 |
| 2006 | 95,000 |
| 2005 | 90,000 |
| 2004 | 85,000 |
Career Earnings
Anna-Lena Grönefeld accumulated substantial earnings throughout her professional tennis career. Her total career prize money amounted to $4,662,619.
Career Stats
| Category | Statistics |
| Singles Titles | 1 |
| Doubles Titles | 17 |
| Career Match Wins | 287 |
| Career Match Losses | 205 |
| Total Prize Money | $4,662,620 |
| Highest Singles Ranking | 14 (2006) |
| Highest Doubles Ranking | 7 (2006) |
| Career Win-Loss Record | 287-205 |
| Mixed Doubles Titles | 2 |
| Notable Mixed Doubles Wins | Roland Garros (2014), Wimbledon (2009) |
Achievements
- Won 17 career titles in women’s doubles
- Won the 2005 Rogers Cup with Martina Navratilova
- Reached seven Grand Slam semifinals in doubles
FAQs
1. Who is Anna-Lena Grönefeld?
Anna-Lena Grönefeld is a former professional tennis player from Germany, born on June 4, 1985, in Nordhorn. She competed professionally from 2003 until her retirement in 2019. Grönefeld achieved significant success in both singles and doubles, winning one WTA singles title and 17 doubles titles.
2. What are some of Anna-Lena Grönefeld’s career highlights in singles?
Grönefeld’s most notable achievement in singles was winning the 2006 Mexican Open in Acapulco. She also reached the quarterfinals of the 2006 French Open, marking her best performance in a Grand Slam singles event.
3. How successful was Anna-Lena Grönefeld in doubles?
Grönefeld was highly successful in doubles, securing 17 WTA titles. Her notable wins include the 2005 Rogers Cup with Martina Navratilova, and she reached seven Grand Slam semifinals. She also won two Grand Slam mixed doubles titles, at the 2009 Wimbledon Championships and the 2014 French Open.
4. What was Anna-Lena Grönefeld’s highest singles ranking?
Her highest singles ranking was No. 14, which she achieved in 2006.
5. Did Anna-Lena Grönefeld participate in the Olympics?
Yes, Grönefeld competed in the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games, representing Germany.
6. What was Anna-Lena Grönefeld’s junior tennis career like?
Grönefeld had a stellar junior career, becoming the junior world No. 1 in both singles and doubles. She won the French Open junior singles title in 2003, making her the first German to do so since 1957. She also won the doubles title at the same tournament and reached the finals at Wimbledon in juniors.
7. How did Anna-Lena Grönefeld perform in Grand Slam tournaments?
In singles, her best Grand Slam performance was reaching the quarterfinals at the 2006 French Open. In doubles, she reached seven Grand Slam semifinals and won two mixed doubles titles.
8. What was Anna-Lena Grönefeld’s playing style?
Grönefeld played right-handed with a two-handed backhand. She was known for her strong serve and her ability to play effectively on all surfaces, though she preferred clay.
9. What notable achievements did Anna-Lena Grönefeld have in mixed doubles?
Grönefeld won two Grand Slam mixed doubles titles: the 2009 Wimbledon Championships with Mark Knowles and the 2014 French Open with Jean-Julien Rojer. She also finished as runner-up at the 2016 Wimbledon Championships and 2017 French Open.
10. When did Anna-Lena Grönefeld retire from professional tennis?
Anna-Lena Grönefeld retired from professional tennis in 2019. Her last title came at the Charleston Open in 2019, where she won the doubles event with Alicja Rosolska.
