Patty Schnyder Bio: Height, Age, Children, Net Worth, Olympic Medal, Career, Titles, Partner

Patty Schnyder is a retired Swiss professional tennis player who reached a career-high WTA singles ranking of World No. 7 in 2005.

Known for her unorthodox left-handed game, heavy spin, moonball tactics, and exceptional variety, she captured 11 WTA singles titles, reached the semifinals of the 2004 Australian Open, and earned a silver medal in singles at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

One of the most talented and enigmatic figures of her generation, Schnyder combined artistry with resilience during a career that spanned three decades.

Profile

• Full Name: Patty Schnyder
• Stage Name: Patty Schnyder
• Born: December 14, 1978
• Age: 47 years old
• Birthplace: Basel, Switzerland
• Nationality: Swiss
• Occupation: Retired Professional Tennis Player
• Height: 1.68m
• Parents: Willy Schnyder and Iris Schnyder
• Siblings: Unknown
• Spouse: Rainer Hofmann (m. 2003–2014)
• Partner: Jan Heino
• Children: 2
• Relationship: Not Married
• Net Worth: $9 million

Early Life and Education

Patty Schnyder was born on December 14, 1978, in Basel, Switzerland, to Willy Schnyder and Iris Schnyder, who introduced her to tennis at age six. She might have had siblings but details about them are unknown.

Schnyder showed prodigious talent early and left formal schooling behind to pursue professional tennis full-time as a teenager. She turned pro in 1994 at just 15, forgoing traditional higher education to train and compete on the international circuit.

She is of Swiss ethnicity, though her religion is unknown.

Career

Patty Schnyder burst onto the WTA tour in the mid-1990s, winning her first title in 1998 at age 19 in Hannover and another weeks later in Maria Lankowitz. She claimed five titles alone in 1998, announcing herself as a future star.

Over the next decade she established herself as a top-20 staple, excelling on clay and indoor hard courts with her signature moonballs, heavy topspin, and ability to disrupt rhythm players. Highlights include five consecutive French Open quarterfinal appearances from 2005 to 2009 and a memorable run to the 2004 Australian Open semifinals, where she defeated several seeded players.

Schnyder’s peak years came between 2002 and 2010, during which she won 11 WTA singles titles, reached 13 additional finals, and earned an Olympic silver medal in Beijing 2008 after a dramatic three-set loss to Elena Dementieva. She also excelled in Fed Cup (now Billie Jean King Cup), helping Switzerland reach the final in 1998 and remaining a dependable team member for over a decade.

Her versatility shone in doubles as well, where she won five titles and reached a career-high ranking of No. 15.

After a first retirement in 2011, Schnyder returned in 2015 at age 36, remarkably climbing from outside the top 500 back into the top 150 by 2018. She competed until late 2018, retiring for good after a final season that included wins over several top-100 players.

With over $8.5 million in career prize money and victories against nearly every major champion of her era—including Serena Williams, Justine Henin, and Maria Sharapova—Schnyder left an indelible mark as one of the most creative and enduring talents in Swiss tennis history.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: Unknown
• Facebook Handle: Unknown
• Twitter Handle: Unknown

Personal Life

Patty Schnyder married German coach and former police officer Rainer Hofmann in December 2003, but the couple divorced in 2014 after a highly publicized separation. She has been in a relationship with Jan Heino since around 2013.

The couple welcomed daughter Kim Ayla in November 2014 and a second daughter in June 2019. Schnyder stepped away from tennis during both pregnancies and now lives a quiet family-focused life in Switzerland, occasionally coaching and staying involved in the sport at a grassroots level.

Net Worth

Patty Schnyder possesses an estimated net worth of $9 million. She accumulated wealth primarily through career prize money exceeding $8.57 million, sponsorship contracts during her playing years, and subsequent coaching and media appearances.