Anne Schäfer

Anne Schäfer (born 1 March 1987 in Apolda, East Germany) is a German professional tennis player who has competed primarily on the ITF Women’s Circuit. Growing up in the former East German town, she completed her Abitur in Thuringia before enrolling in the University of Hagen to study economics, balancing her academic pursuits with an increasingly demanding tennis schedule. Schäfer turned professional in 2005, and her right‑handed game, highlighted by a two‑handed backhand, soon earned her a reputation for tactical resilience and steady baseline play. Early in her career she amassed a substantial number of matches on the ITF circuit, gradually building the confidence that would propel her into higher‑level tournaments. Over the span of her career Schäfer has captured twenty‑one ITF singles titles and nine ITF doubles titles, a testament to her consistency across both formats. She achieved her career‑high singles ranking of world No. 161 on 23 March 2009, and later reached a peak doubles ranking of No. 211 on 25 July 2016. Her breakthrough on the WTA Tour came at the 2016 Copa Colsanitas, where she defeated qualifier Chloé Paquet in the first round to claim her main‑draw debut. Although Grand Slam main‑draw appearances have eluded her, she has contested qualifying rounds at all four majors, recording notable performances such as a second‑round qualifying win at the 2009 Australian Open. Schäfer’s prize‑money earnings exceed $247,000, and she continues to compete on the circuit, maintaining a presence in the rankings as of September 2025. Off the court, her academic background in economics provides a keen insight into the business side of professional sport, and she remains a respected figure among German tennis peers for her perseverance and sportsmanship.