Petr Korda’s greatest triumph was more than 23 years ago. Tennis fans still remember how the Czech outclassed Marcelo Rios in the final of the Australian Open. In the end it was said 6: 2, 6: 2, 6: 2. Korda, shortly afterwards number two in the world, was at the zenith of his work – and ended his career just a year later.
But sporting successes are still celebrated at Korda today. His daughters play a major role in this. Nelly Korda, 22, took the lead in the world golf rankings on Monday after winning the PGA Championship – her first major title. The five-year-old sister Jessica has long been a member of the golf elite. Your first tournament win on the LPGA tour was nine years ago.
Last but not least, the youngest member of the family now wants to continue the story. Sebastian Korda is currently playing for points in what is probably the most important tennis tournament. At Wimbledon, the only 20-year-old is in the second round after a convincing opening win against Australian Alex de Minaur (6: 3, 6: 4, 6: 7, 7: 6). Antoine Hoang has a solvable task waiting there.
Breakthrough at Wimbledon?
Korda follows in his father’s footsteps, was seen as a promising talent at an early age and won the Australian Open in his youth. Since then, things have gradually improved. A good two years ago, the 1.96 meter tall professional, who was born in Florida and is a US citizen, was still outside the top 500 in the ranking. He is now one of the best 50 professionals in the world. Most recently, he celebrated his first ATP title in Parma, Italy. At the French Open last year, he surprisingly reached the round of 16.
The final breakthrough should now take place in Wimbledon. The chances are not bad thanks to a favorable draw. Not a single top 20 player is waiting in the tableau until a possible quarter-finals. Ultimately, one day he wants to go where his sister is already: right at the top.
Nelly Korda is the star of a South Korean-dominated golf scene. As the first US woman since 2014, she has now taken over the top position. In the current year she has already won three tournaments, the last two within a week. She is always one of the favorites. This also still applies to her sister, who is currently 13th in the world rankings.
The dream of gold in Tokyo
Jessica Korda is the oldest child in the family. Her sporting talent was not only inherited from her father, her mother Regina Rajchrtová also played tennis professionally. In 1988 she took part in the Olympic Games in Seoul for her home country. In 1991 she was ranked 26th in the world.
Jessica herself has been playing golf professionally since 2011. Since then, she has won six tournaments and earned more than six million dollars in prize money. Now she is apparently being given a special honor: Together with sister Nelly, she is to lead the US team at the Olympic Games in Tokyo. In total, only four US female golfers can be nominated. At the course at the Kasumigaseki Country Club in Kawagoe (August 4th to 7th) the Kordas are striving for gold, it would be the high point of their careers for the time being.
The family caused a sensation two years ago: Nelly completed it with her victory at the Australian Open »Korda-Slam«. Both Petr and his three children have won the Australian Open at least once in the sports they practice.
Petr started in 1998, Jessica won the title in Australia at the highest golf level in 2012, son Sebastian won the junior tennis tournament in Melbourne in 2018. Nelly completed the unique feat in 2019. It is quite possible that it will not remain the last chapter in a unique family history .
