My dad won the Australian Open and millions in tennis prize money – now I’m making my own way in the sport

5 months ago 43

THE Korda family know a thing or two about elite-level sport.

And now Sebastian is taking full advantage as he makes waves following in the footsteps of his father.

Sebastian Korda has risen to become a top-30 tennis player[/caption]

Czech ace Petr Korda, 55, won ten career singles titles during his professional tennis career, including the 1998 Australian Open.

Korda thumped Marcelo Rios 6-2 6-2 6-2 in just 85 minutes to land his only singles Grand Slam and move to No2 in the world rankings.

He had four chances at tournaments to get to No1 but fell agonisingly short on each occasion.

Korda Sr also won the Australian Open doubles with Stefan Edberg but lost the French Open singles final in 1992 against Jim Courier.

The leftie – who was famous for his scissor-kick celebration – earned a staggering £8.4million in prize money.

However, his career ended in controversial circumstances after he tested positive for the banned steroid nandrolone after losing to Tim Henman in the 1998 Wimbledon quarter-finals, just five months after his success Down Under.

A long and complicated legal case eventually saw Korda slapped with a 12-month ban from September 1999 as he was also docked prize money and points.

He effectively announced his retirement during the suspension, although did make a couple of appearances at tournaments in the Czech Republic, the last of which was in 2005.

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The Prague-born tennis star married fellow Czech player and Olympian Regina Rajchrtova.

And all three of their children have gone on to become world-class athletes – all playing under the American flag after being raised in Florida.

Daughters Jessica and Nelly are among the best female golfers in the world – Nelly won the 2021 Women’s PGA Championship and has held the No1 ranking – while son Sebastian is making a name for himself in tennis.

Born in July 2000, he initially played ice hockey from the age of three and is also an accomplished golfer.

Korda won the Australian Open in 1998[/caption]

Petr Korda was famous for his scissor kick celebration[/caption]

The leftie failed a drugs test at Wimbledon in 1998[/caption]

Korda with one of his daughters and son Seb at the US Open[/caption]

But he put his main focus on tennis from nine and is reaping the rewards.

Korda Jr, 23, took inspiration from his dad to win the boys’ Australian Open in 2018 and made his ATP Tour bow in the same year.

He then got a wildcard at the 2020 US Open for his major debut and added his only ATP title to date at the Emilia-Romagna Open in Italy ahead of the French Open in 2021, not dropping a single set on his way to getting his hands on the trophy.

The 6ft 5ins ace has lost his other five ATP finals so far but did stun Daniil Medvedev at the 2023 Australian Open to reach his first Grand Slam quarters before retiring hurt with a wrist injury that sidelined him for a few months.

Korda Jr is currently coached by Martin and Radek Stepanek, with the latter trained by Petr Korda for much of his career and the two families enjoy a special bond.

His career-high ranking stands at 23 in the world and he has already pocketed a cool £3.4m from tennis by the age of 23.

Away from the court, Korda is in a long-term relationship with girlfriend Ivana Nedved – the daughter of Czech football icon Pavel.