By Nick Georgandis
January 27
Marat Safin, former Russian No. 1 who won two Grand Slam titles, turns 33. The fiery player won the 2000 US Open title, stunning Pete Sampras, taking the No. 1 ranking two months later. He added the Australian Open title in 2005, defeating Lleyton Hewitt, and also reached the semifinals of the French Open in 2002 and Wimbledon in 2008. He won 15 careeer titles and compiled a 422-267 overall record.
American Brian Gottfried, who won 79 career professional single and doubles titles, turns 61. Gottfried took two Grand Slam titles in doubles, winning the 1975 and 1977 French Opens. He climbed to No. 2 in the world in doubles in December of 1976. In singles, his best showing was the finals of the 1977 French Open and the semifinals of Wimbledon in 1980. He reached No. 3 in the world in singles in 1980.
January 29
American Bob Falkenburg, the 1948 Wimbledon singles champion, turns 87. The title allowed him to reach No. 7 in the world. Falkenburg also won the 1944 US Oepn doubles title and the 1947 Wimbledon doubles title. South of the border, Falkenburg is vastly more famous for his chain of "Bob's" restaurants in Brazil, the first of which he opened as a soft-serve ice cream store in 1952. Falkenburg is hailed as introducing soft-serve ice cream, as well as readily available American treats like milkshakes, hot dogs and hamburgers, to Brazil.
January 30
Former No. 1 doubles player Gisela Dulko turns 28. the recently-retired Dulko won 17 doubles titles including the 2011 Australian Open. Hailed as one of the most beautiful women on the professional tour, Dulko has taken turns at modeling.