Roland Garros 2020 Nadal’s rival in the round of 16 is the only one of the 13 Yankees still in the table
El American tennis, one of the world’s greatest tennis powers, had 13 representatives in the men’s team at Roland Garros. Only France had more players, but in their case thanks to invitations.
Well, the United States has only one player in the fourth round of the French Open and he is the youngest of all. Sebastian Korda, born in Bradenton, is 20 years old but has the self-confidence of the chosen.
From tennis parents, Petr and Regina Rajchrtova, the first was champion of the Australian Open and his mother ‘top30’, is the emerging star of the multinational IMG that once had in its portfolio all the greats, say Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal or Maria Sharapova.
Unlike most tennis players residing in Europe, Sebastian was able to continue training during his quarantine in Florida in a highly competitive group. in which Kei Nishikori and Denis Shapovalov are also, among others.
The youngest of the Korda family, brother of the golfers Jessica and Nelly, was so confident in his chances that he bet with his coach and physical trainer that If you enter the third round of the tournament you must swim across the Charles Bridge in Prague. He reminded him with clear gestures when he defeated his compatriot John Isner in his second game. “I was having dinner in Prague a few weeks ago and I made the bet. Also with Radek Stepanek,” he recalls.
The sisters are playing a tournament this week in New Jersey and they keep in touch with the brand new eighth Roland Garros finalist through messages: “We watch all their matches from a distance,” confesses Nelly, the world number two in her sport. Due to the time difference they get up at five in the morning.
Number one junior and winner of the Australian Open of the category in 2018, he has had great admiration for Nadal since he was a child. In fact, she named her first cat after Rafa.. Tomorrow she will measure her idol in an uneven duel. Never before had the Spaniard come across such a low-ranking rival in the eighth of a ‘Grand Slam’. The thing is, Korda’s potential hasn’t been gauged for a long time by ranking.
“My goal as a professional tennis player is to win two ‘Grand Slam’, one more than my father,” confesses Sebastian on the eve of the match of his life.
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