Julien Benneteau, a retired French professional tennis player, is celebrated for his achievements in doubles and his resilience in singles.
Known for his strategic gameplay and versatility, Benneteau’s career is a testament to perseverance and dedication.
Despite never winning a singles title, he left an indelible mark on the sport through his doubles success and memorable matches against top players.
Julien Benneteau’s Biography
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Julien Henry Guy Benneteau-Desgrois |
| Nickname | Bennet |
| Date of Birth | December 20, 1981 |
| Age | 43 years |
| Place of Birth | Bourg-en-Bresse, France |
| Prize money | US$9,556,742 |
| Nationality | French |
| Height | 6 ft 1 in |
| Turned Professional | 2000 |
| Net Worth | Estimated at $9.5 million |
| Salary | Varies |
| Relationship Status | Married to Karen Benneteau |
| Instagram Profile | @julien__benneteau |
Early Career
Julien Benneteau began his tennis journey as a young boy in Bourg-en-Bresse, France.
He quickly rose through the junior ranks, winning the Boys’ 16s singles title at the prestigious Orange Bowl in 1996. This early success showcased his potential and paved the way for his professional debut in 2000.
Professional Career
Benneteau enjoyed a long and eventful career on the ATP Tour. In singles, he reached a career-high ranking of World No. 25 in November 2014 but famously never won an ATP title despite reaching ten finals—a record for most finals without a win.
His standout moments include defeating World No. 1 Roger Federer at the 2009 Paris Masters and pushing Federer to five sets at Wimbledon in 2012.
In doubles, Benneteau achieved greater success, winning 12 ATP titles, including the French Open men’s doubles title in 2014 with Édouard Roger-Vasselin.
Wife
Julien Benneteau is happily married to Karen Benneteau. The couple has one son, Ayrton, born in 2015. Julien often credits his family for being a source of strength throughout his career.
Julien Benneteau’s Net Worth Details
Julien Benneteau’s net worth is estimated to be $9.5 million as of 2025. His wealth primarily stems from prize money earned during his professional career and endorsements with brands like Lacoste and Babolat.
Prize Money
| Year | Prize Money Earned ($) |
|---|---|
| Career Total (Singles & Doubles) | $9,556,742 |
| Best Year (2014) | $1,478,197 |
| Average Annual Earnings (Career) | Approx. $500,000 |
Endorsements
- Long-term partnership with Lacoste, promoting their clothing line.
- Endorsed Babolat racquets during his playing career.
Career Records
| Opponent | Tournament/Year | Key Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Roger Federer | Paris Masters (2009) | Defeated Federer in straight sets |
| Andy Murray | Cincinnati Masters (2009) | Played an epic rally but lost |
| Kei Nishikori | Malaysian Open Final (2014) | Runner-up |
FAQs
1. Who is Julien Benneteau?
Julien Benneteau is a retired French professional tennis player, born on December 20, 1981, in Bourg-en-Bresse, France. He achieved a career-high ATP singles ranking of No. 25 and doubles ranking of No. 5. Known for his versatility, he had a successful doubles career and a notable singles career despite not winning an ATP singles title.
2. What are Julien Benneteau’s major achievements in singles tennis?
Benneteau reached the quarterfinals of the French Open in 2006 and the semifinals of two ATP Masters 1000 tournaments: Cincinnati in 2014 and Paris in 2017. He also made it to 10 ATP singles finals but holds the record for most finals without a title (0–10).
3. What are Julien Benneteau’s accomplishments in doubles?
Benneteau won 12 doubles titles, including the prestigious 2014 French Open with Édouard Roger-Vasselin, becoming the first French duo to win the title in 30 years. He also won a bronze medal in men’s doubles at the 2012 London Olympics with Richard Gasquet.
4. What is Julien Benneteau’s career prize money?
Over his career, Benneteau earned $9,556,742 in prize money across both singles and doubles competitions.
5. What is Julien Benneteau’s record at Grand Slam tournaments?
In singles, his best Grand Slam performance was reaching the quarterfinals of the French Open in 2006. In doubles, he won the French Open in 2014 and was a runner-up at Wimbledon in 2016.
6. What is Julien Benneteau’s legacy as a tennis player?
Benneteau is remembered for his consistency and resilience on the ATP Tour. Despite not winning a singles title, he was a key figure in French tennis for nearly two decades and achieved significant success in doubles. His upset win over Roger Federer at the Paris Masters in 2009 remains one of his career highlights.
7. When did Julien Benneteau retire from professional tennis?
Benneteau retired after the Paris Masters in November 2018, concluding his career on home soil. However, he briefly returned to represent France in the Davis Cup semifinals that year, helping secure victory against Spain.
8. What role does Julien Benneteau have post-retirement?
Since retiring, Benneteau has served as the captain of France’s Billie Jean King Cup team (formerly Fed Cup) starting in 2018, helping guide French women’s tennis players on the international stage.
9. What were Julien Benneteau’s most notable victories?
One of his most memorable wins was defeating world No. 1 Roger Federer at the Paris Masters in 2009. Additionally, during his run to the semifinals of the Paris Masters in 2017, he defeated top players like Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Marin Čilić.
10. What makes Julien Benneteau unique among professional tennis players?
Benneteau is known for being one of the most successful players never to win an ATP singles title despite reaching ten finals. His ability to excel both as a singles player and as a doubles specialist highlights his versatility and determination throughout his career.
