“My tennis career started there on that court, that’s why I’m here today,” said Kodeš. The seventy-six-year-old native of Prague started as a ball collector. According to him, it is still a good job for young tennis players, thanks to which they will get a chance to observe the best in the game.
Kodeš remembers his active career as a time of very close friendly relations between tennis players, which was not surrounded by a large support team. According to him, the competition for current tennis players has increased significantly, because the number of countries where tennis is now played has doubled since his time. Each of the 150 countries has up to two good players. At the same time, the conditions for training have improved, so that according to Kodeš, everyone can be a good tennis player today, only diligence decides.
After a successful career, Kodeš also tried the role of captain of the Davis Cup team, coach or official. In 1990, as the second Czech native, he was accepted into the Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport.
He rejoiced in his first grand slam at the 1970 French Open, and the following year he defended his title in Paris. He achieved life success at Wimbledon in 1973, where he took advantage of the boycott of many players and on the long unpopular grass he became the second Czechoslovak male winner of the famous tournament after Jaroslav Drobný.
The Record Hall of Fame is intended for those who, with their work and performances, have earned the good name of the Czech Republic abroad. It includes, for example, Karel Gott, Martina Sáblíková or Jiří Suchý.
