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Traditionally successful: the Korda clan at the Australian Open

US professional Sebastian Korda is preparing to continue a remarkable family tradition at the Australian Open.

by SID
last edit: Jan 23, 2023, 11:07 am

Sebastian Korda has been convincing in Melbourne so far
© Getty Images
Sebastian Korda has been convincing in Melbourne so far

Whenever Sebastian Korda walks through the tunnel into the Rod Laver Arena, he gives his dad Petr a "fist bump". Not the flesh-and-blood ex-champion, but his image in the ancestral gallery of the Australian Open winners. 25 years ago Petr Korda won the Grand Slam tournament in Melbourne, now his son is preparing to continue a family tradition.

Although the Kordas come from the Czech Republic and live in Florida, they have found their sporting home Down Under. After Petr, who was later banned for doping, his daughters Nelly and Jessica also triumphed at the Australian Open for women golfers, while Sebastian already secured the junior title at the first major tennis event of the year. But the 22-year-old American wants more.

Korda vs. Khachanov

In the quarterfinals, the junior meets the Russian Karen Khachanov on Tuesday. He knows the whole Korda clan has his back, even if they haven't even traveled to Melbourne. Father Petr celebrated his 55th birthday at home on Monday with mother Regina Rajchrtova, also a former tennis pro but the only member of the family without a triumph in Melbourne. Sister Nelly, Tokyo Olympic champion, played for victory at a tournament in Orlando.

The little pat with his virtual father, explained Sebastian after the five-set win in the round of 16 over Hubert Hurkacz from Poland, helped him. "It makes me feel like they're with me in a way. I know they're always watching," he said. The family has always done that, no matter what the youngest child wanted to try. Before he decided to play tennis, Sebastian was a sporty all-rounder.

Family Business Korda

He played ice hockey until he was ten years old - and pretty well at it. "We've always had the best guys," Korda said, adding that some of his teammates were later drafted into the NHL. He also learned quickly on the golf course, but a trip to the US Open with his father changed everything. When Radek Stepanek was the coach in one of those electrifying night sessions on the gigantic Arthur Ashe against Novak Djokovic, Sebastian was convinced.

"I fell in love with the energy of the audience, the way this sport is played, how challenging it is mentally," Korda said. "The rest is history." A story that makes him dream of finally completing the family slam in Melbourne. Korda himself is convinced that he has the potential. "I always believed I could be very good," he said.

Even after bitter defeats like against Rafael Nadal 2022 in Indian Wells when he served to win the match. Or at the beginning of the season in Adelaide when he missed a match point against Novak Djokovic. "I think I'm quite good at looking ahead and learning from my mistakes," said Korda. Papa Petr watches him proudly.

laver arena

by SID

Monday
Jan 23, 2023, 05:05 pm
last edit: Jan 23, 2023, 11:07 am