Petr Korda Explained

Petr Korda
Country: (1987–1992)
Residence:Monte Carlo, Monaco & Bradenton, Florida
Birth Date:23 January 1968
Birth Place:Prague, Czechoslovakia
Turnedpro:1987
Retired:2005[1]
Plays:Left-handed (one-handed backhand)
Careerprizemoney:$10,448,900
Singlesrecord:410–248 (62.3%)
Singlestitles:10
Highestsinglesranking:No. 2 (2 February 1998)
Australianopenresult:W (1998)
Frenchopenresult:F (1992)
Wimbledonresult:QF (1998)
Usopenresult:QF (1995, 1997)
Othertournaments:yes
Masterscupresult:RR (1992)
Grandslamcupresult:W (1993)
Doublesrecord:234–160
Doublestitles:10
Highestdoublesranking:No. 10 (11 June 1990)
Australianopendoublesresult:W (1996)
Frenchopendoublesresult:F (1990)
Wimbledondoublesresult:2R (1990, 1991)
Usopendoublesresult:3R (1989, 1991, 1995)
Team:yes
Daviscupresult:SF (1996)
Hopmancupresult:W (1994)
Updated:July 1999

Petr Korda (born 23 January 1968) is a Czech former professional tennis player. He won the 1998 Australian Open and was runner-up at the 1992 French Open, reaching a career-high ranking of No. 2 in February 1998. Korda tested positive for doping in July 1998 at Wimbledon, and was banned from September 1999 for 12 months, but he retired shortly before the ban.[2]

Tennis career

Juniors

He first came to the tennis world's attention as a promising junior player. In 1985, he partnered with fellow Czech Cyril Suk to win the boys' doubles title at the French Open. Korda and Suk ranked the joint-World No. 1 junior doubles players that year.

Junior Slam results:

Professional career

Korda turned professional in 1987. He won his first career doubles title in 1988, and his first top-level singles title in 1991. Korda was involved in four Grand Slam finals during his career – two in singles and two in doubles. Korda also was known for the "Scissors Kick" which he would do at midcourt after winning matches.

In 1990, Korda and Goran Ivanišević finished runners-up in the men's doubles at the French Open, and as a result, Korda reached his career-high doubles ranking of world No. 10.In 1992, he rose to the men's singles final at the French Open beating Christian Bergström, Shuzo Matsuoka, Michiel Schapers, Jaime Oncins, Andrei Cherkasov and Henri Leconte, before he was defeated in straight sets by defending champion Jim Courier 7–5, 6–2, 6–1.

A highlight of Korda's career include winning the Grand Slam Cup in 1993, with five-set wins in the semifinal and final over Pete Sampras and Michael Stich, the number 1 and 2 tennis players in the world at that time. Korda also was a part of the Czech Republic's team which won the Hopman Cup in 1994. In 1996 he teamed-up with Stefan Edberg to win the men's doubles title at the Australian Open. He also upset the defending champion, Pete Sampras, in five sets in the fourth round of the 1997 US Open.

The crowning moment of Korda's career came in 1998, when he defeated Albert Portas, Scott Draper, Vincent Spadea, Cédric Pioline, Jonas Björkman and Karol Kučera to face Marcelo Ríos in the men's singles final at the Australian Open. Korda dominated the match from start to finish by winning in straight sets 6–2, 6–2, 6–2 and claimed his first Grand Slam singles title in just 1 hour and 25 minutes. The win propelled him to his career-high singles ranking of World No. 2. At four tournaments in 1998, Korda had the world No. 1 ranking in his sights, but he lost to Karol Kučera in Antwerp, Marcelo Ríos at Indian Wells, Tim Henman in Miami and Richard Krajicek in Monte Carlo.

Suspension and retirement

Following his quarterfinal match against Tim Henman at the Wimbledon 1998, Korda tested positive for the banned steroid nandrolone.[3] [4] This came to light in December 1998 when the appeals board of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) accepted his denial of intent and agreed not to ban him, instead merely withholding his Wimbledon prize money and ranking points. The ensuing controversy caused the ITF to launch an appeal against its own decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). In January 1999 Korda obtained a ruling in the High Court of England and Wales that the ITF could not appeal,[5] but the High Court ruling was overturned by the Court of Appeal. In July 1999 the CAS allowed the ITF appeal and on 1 September 1999 the ITF banned Korda for 12 months and stripped him of all prize money and ranking points since the failed test.

Before the ban, Korda had already announced his retirement, after losing to Danny Sapsford and failing to qualify for Wimbledon 1999. However, after his ban he competed in Czech ATP Challenger Tour events: the Prague Open (singles and doubles) in December 2000 and the Czech Open (doubles) in 2001 and 2005.

Personal life

Korda married Regina Rajchrtová, a former professional tennis player from Czechoslovakia. They have two daughters and a son. The oldest, Jessica, was born on 27 February 1993; she is a professional golfer, and finished 19th in the 2008 U.S. Women's Open as a 15-year-old, with Korda as her caddy. He later caddied at the 2013 U.S. Women's Open for his other daughter, Nelly, also a professional golfer.

Korda's son, Sebastian, is a professional tennis player.[6]

Grand Slam finals

Singles: 2 (1 title, 1 runner-up)

ResultYearChampionshipSurfaceOpponentScore
Loss 1992French OpenClay Jim Courier5–7, 2–6, 1–6
Win 1998Australian OpenHard Marcelo Ríos6–2, 6–2, 6–2

Doubles: 2 (1 title, 1 runner-up)

ResultYearChampionship SurfacePartnerOpponentsScore
Loss 1990French OpenClay Goran Ivanišević Sergio Casal
Emilio Sánchez Vicario
5–7, 3–6
Win 1996Australian OpenHard Stefan Edberg Sébastien Lareau
Alex O'Brien
7–5, 7–5, 4–6, 6–1

Other significant finals

Grand Slam Cup

Singles: 1 (1–0)

Singles: 3 (1–2)

ResultYearTournamentSurfaceOpponentScore
Loss1991Canada MastersHard Andrei Chesnokov6–3, 4–6, 3–6
Loss1994Indian Wells MastersHard Pete Sampras6–4, 3–6, 6–3, 3–6, 2–6
Win1997Stuttgart MastersCarpet (i) Richard Krajicek7–6(8–6), 6–2, 6–4

Doubles: 4 (3–1)

ResultYearTournamentSurfacePartnerOpponentScore
Win1990Monte-Carlo MastersClay Tomáš Šmíd Andrés Gómez
Javier Sánchez
6–4, 7–6
Loss1992Monte-Carlo MastersClay Karel Nováček Boris Becker
Michael Stich
4–6, 4–6
Win1993Monte-Carlo MastersClay Stefan Edberg Paul Haarhuis
Mark Koevermans
3–6, 6–2, 7–6
Win1993Cincinnati MastersHard Andre Agassi Stefan Edberg
Henrik Holm
7–6, 6–4

ATP career finals

Singles: 27 (10 titles, 17 runners-up)

valign=top
Legend
Grand Slam (1–1)
Tennis Masters Cup (0–0)
Grand Slam Cup (1–0)
ATP Masters Series (1–2)
ATP Championship Series (2–5)
ATP World Series (5–9)
valign=top
Titles by surface
Hard (6–8)
Clay (0–4)
Grass (0–1)
Carpet (4–4)
ResultNo.DateTournamentSurfaceOpponentScore
Loss1.Oct 1989Frankfurt, West GermanyCarpet Kevin Curren2–6, 5–7
Loss2.May 1991Tampa, USClay Richey Reneberg6–4, 4–6, 2–6
Loss3.Jul 1991Washington, D.C., USHard Andre Agassi3–6, 4–6
Loss4.Jul 1991Montreal, CanadaHard Andrei Chesnokov6–3, 4–6, 3–6
Win1.Aug 1991New Haven, USHard Goran Ivanišević6–4, 6–2
Win2.Oct 1991Berlin, GermanyCarpet Arnaud Boetsch6–3, 6–4
Loss5.May 1992Munich, GermanyClay Magnus Larsson4–6, 6–4, 1–6
Loss6.Jun 1992French Open, ParisClay Jim Courier5–7, 2–6, 1–6
Win3.Jul 1992Washington, D.C., USHard Henrik Holm6–4, 6–4
Win4.Aug 1992Long Island, USHard Ivan Lendl6–2, 6–2
Loss7.Oct 1992Basel, SwitzerlandHard (i) Boris Becker6–3, 3–6, 2–6, 4–6
Loss8.Oct 1992Toulouse, FranceHard (i) Guy Forget3–6, 2–6
Win5.Oct 1992Vienna, AustriaCarpet Gianluca Pozzi6–3, 6–2, 5–7, 6–1
Loss9.Aug 1993New Haven, USHard Andrei Medvedev5–7, 4–6
Loss10.Oct 1993Sydney, AustraliaHard (i) Jaime Yzaga2–6, 6–4, 6–7(4–7), 6–7(7–9)
Win6.Dec 1993Grand Slam Cup, Munich, GermanyCarpet Michael Stich2–6, 6–4, 7–6(7–5), 2–6, 11–9
Loss11.Feb 1994Milan, ItalyCarpet Boris Becker2–6, 6–3, 3–6
Loss12.Mar 1994Indian Wells, USHard Pete Sampras6–4, 3–6, 6–3, 3–6, 2–6
Loss13.May 1994Munich, GermanyClay Michael Stich2–6, 6–2, 3–6
Win7.Jan 1996Doha, QatarHard Younes El Aynaoui7–6(7–5), 2–6, 7–6(7–5)
Loss14.Jul 1996Ostrava, Czech RepublicCarpet David Prinosil1–6, 2–6
Loss15.Jun 1997Halle, GermanyGrass Yevgeny Kafelnikov6–7(2–7), 7–6(7–5), 6–7(7–9)
Loss16.Jul 1997Washington, D.C., USHard Michael Chang7–5, 2–6, 1–6
Win8.Oct 1997Stuttgart, GermanyCarpet Richard Krajicek7–6(8–6), 6–2, 6–4
Loss17.Nov 1997Moscow, RussiaCarpet Yevgeny Kafelnikov6–7(2–7), 4–6
Win9.Jan 1998Doha, QatarHard Fabrice Santoro6–0, 6–3
Win10.Feb 1998Australian Open, MelbourneHard Marcelo Ríos6–2, 6–2, 6–2

Doubles: 24 (10 titles, 14 runners-up)

Legend
Grand Slam (1–1)
Tennis Masters Cup (0–0)
Grand Slam Cup (0–0)
ATP Masters Series (3–1)
ATP Championship Series (1–4)
ATP World Series (5–10)
Titles by surface
Hard (3–4)
Clay (5–9)
Grass (1–0)
Carpet (1–1)
ResultNo.DateTournamentSurfacePartnerOpponentsScore
Loss1.Oct 1987Palermo, ItalyClay Tomáš Šmíd Leonardo Lavalle
Claudio Panatta
6–3, 4–6, 4–6
Win1.Jul 1988Gstaad, SwitzerlandClay Milan Šrejber Andrés Gómez
Emilio Sánchez
7–6, 7–6
Win2.Aug 1988Prague, CzechoslovakiaClay Jaroslav Navrátil Thomas Muster
Horst Skoff
7–5, 7–6
Loss2.Jul 1989Gstaad, SwitzerlandClay Milan Šrejber Cássio Motta
Todd Witsken
4–6, 3–6
Win3.Jul 1989Stuttgart, West GermanyClay Tomáš Šmíd Florin Segărceanu
Cyril Suk
6–3, 6–4
Loss3.Aug 1989Kitzbühel, AustriaClay Tomáš Šmíd Emilio Sánchez
Javier Sánchez
5–7, 6–7
Loss4.Aug 1989Prague, CzechoslovakiaClay Gene Mayer Jordi Arrese
Horst Skoff
4–6, 4–6
Win4.Apr 1990Monte-Carlo, MonacoClay Tomáš Šmíd Andrés Gómez
Javier Sánchez
6–4, 7–6
Loss5.May 1990Munich, West GermanyClay Tomáš Šmíd Udo Riglewski
Michael Stich
1–6, 4–6
Loss6.Jun 1990French Open, Paris, FranceClay Goran Ivanišević Sergio Casal
Emilio Sánchez
5–7, 3–6
Loss7.Aug 1990New Haven, USHard Goran Ivanišević Jeff Brown
Scott Melville
6–2, 5–7, 0–6
Win5.Aug 1991New Haven, USHard Wally Masur Jeff Brown
Scott Melville
W/O
Win6.Oct 1991Berlin, GermanyCarpet Karel Nováček Jan Siemerink
Daniel Vacek
3–6, 7–5, 7–5
Loss8.Sep 1991Basel, SwitzerlandHard (i) John McEnroe Jakob Hlasek
Patrick McEnroe
6–3, 6–7, 6–7
Loss9.Apr 1992Monte-Carlo, MonacoClay Karel Nováček Boris Becker
Michael Stich
4–6, 4–6
Loss10.Jul 1992Gstaad, SwitzerlandClay Cyril Suk Hendrik Jan Davids
Libor Pimek
W/O
Win7.Apr 1993Monte-Carlo, MonacoClay Stefan Edberg Paul Haarhuis
Mark Koevermans
3–6, 6–2, 7–6
Win8.Jun 1993Halle, GermanyGrass Cyril Suk Mike Bauer
Marc-Kevin Goellner
7–6, 5–7, 6–3
Win9.Aug 1993Cincinnati, USHard Andre Agassi Stefan Edberg
Henrik Holm
7–6, 6–4
Loss11.May 1994Munich, GermanyClay Boris Becker Yevgeny Kafelnikov
David Rikl
6–7, 5–7
Loss12.Feb 1995Milan, ItalyCarpet Karel Nováček Boris Becker
Guy Forget
2–6, 4–6
Loss13.Jul 1995Washington, D.C., USHard Cyril Suk Olivier Delaître
Jeff Tarango
6–1, 3–6, 2–6
Win10.Jan 1996Australian Open, Melbourne, AustraliaHard Stefan Edberg Sébastien Lareau
Alex O'Brien
7–5, 7–5, 4–6, 6–1
Loss14.Aug 1996Indianapolis, USHard Cyril Suk Jim Grabb
Richey Reneberg
6–7, 6–4, 4–6

Performance timelines

Singles

Professional Career
width=140Tournament!width=101985!198619871988198919901991199219931994199519961997199819992000SRW–L
Grand Slam tournaments
Australian OpenANHAAA2R2R1RQF1R3R1R1RW3RA1 / 1017–9
French OpenAAA2RA2R2RF2R1R1R3R4R1R2RA0 / 1115–11
WimbledonAAA3RA1R1R2R4R2R4RA4RQFQ2A0 / 917–9
US OpenAAA1RA2R1R1R1RAQF3RQF1RAA0 / 911–9
Win–loss0–00–00–03–30–03–42–47–48–41–39–44–39–411–33–20–01 / 3960–38
Year-end championship
Tennis Masters CupDid not qualifyRRDid not qualify0 / 10–3
Grand Slam CupNot HeldQFW1RSFQFNH1 / 57–4
Grand PrixATP Masters Series
Indian Wells MastersAAAAAA1R3RQFF2R1RAQF1RA0 / 811–8
Miami MastersAAA1RA2R2R3RSFQF2R4R2R4R1RA0 / 1114–11
Monte-Carlo MastersAAAAA2RA2R3R2R1R3RAQFAA0 / 77–7
Rome MastersAAAAA1RASFAA1R2RA1RAA0 / 55–5
Hamburg MastersAAA1RA1RA2RA3R2RAAAAA0 / 52–5
Canada MastersAAAAA2RFQFSF2R2R3R1R2RAA0 / 913–9
Cincinnati MastersAAAAA1R2RQF2R2R2R2R2RQFAA0 / 99–9
Stuttgart Masters1AAAAA3RQFQFQF1RAAW2RAA1 / 713–6
Paris MastersAAAA1R1RQF2R3RQFASF3R2RAA0 / 911–9
Win–loss0–00–00–00–20–13–811–612–913–714–84–713–77–48–80–20–01 / 6785–66
Career Statistics
Finals000010573302320027
Titles000000231001120010
Overall win–loss0–10–02–18–1313–824–2745–2462–3054–2338–2227–2342–1955–2434–216–120–0410–248
Win %0%66%38%62%47%65%67%70%63%54%69%70%62%33%62.31%
Year-End Ranking794511871885938971218412413131332

1 Held as Stockholm Masters until 1994, Stuttgart Masters from 1995 to 2001.

Doubles

Professional Career
width=157Tournament!width=101985!1986198719881989199019911992199319941995199619971998199920002001...width=102005!width=45SR!width=45W–L
Grand Slam tournaments
Australian OpenANHAAA2R1R2R1R3RSFW2RAAAAA1 / 815–7
French OpenAA1R2R2RF2RQFSFA1R3R3RAAAAA0 / 1019–10
WimbledonAAA1RA2R2R1RAAAAAAAAAA0 / 42–4
US OpenAAAA3R2R3R1RAA3R1R1RAAAAA0 / 77–7
Win–loss0–00–00–11–23–28–44–44–44–22–16–38–23–30–00–00–00–00–01 / 2943–28
Grand PrixATP Masters Series
Indian Wells MastersAAAAA1R1R1R1R1R1RAAAAAAA0 / 60–6
Miami MastersAAA2RA2RAQFQFAQF3R1RAAAAA0 / 712–6
Monte-Carlo MastersAAA2RAWAFW1R1R1RAQFAAAA2 / 816–5
Rome MastersAAAA2R1RA2RAA2R2RAAAAAA0 / 54–5
Hamburg MastersAA1R2RA2RA2RAAAAAAAAAA0 / 43–4
Canada MastersAAAAA1R2RAA1R1R2RAAAAAA0 / 52–5
Cincinnati MastersAAAAA2R1R1RW2R1R1R1R2RAAAA1 / 98–7
Stuttgart Masters1AAAAAQFAAAAA2RAAAAAA0 / 22–2
Paris MastersAAAA1R1RAA2RAAQFAAAAAA0 / 43–4
Win–loss0–00–00–13–31–29–81–39–614–31–44–57–70–23–00–00–00–00–03 / 4448–38
Year-End Ranking296914626156364321154423220321100915361683

1 Held as Stockholm Masters until 1994, Stuttgart Masters from 1995 to 2001.

Top 10 wins

Season198519861987198819891990199119921993199419951996199719981999Total
Wins00000247761243037
width=200PlayerRankwidth=250EventSurfaceRdwidth=200Score
1990
1. Jay Berger10Philadelphia, United Statesbgcolor=thistleCarpet (i)QF7–6, 6–153
2. Brad Gilbert5Davis Cup, Prague, Czechoslovakiabgcolor=thistleCarpet (i)RR6–2, 6–3, 6–326
1991
3. Andre Agassi6Montreal, CanadaHard2R7–6(7–3), 6–240
4. Jim Courier5Montreal, CanadaHardbgcolor=yellowSF3–6, 7–6(7–1), 6–240
5. Ivan Lendl5Stockholm, Swedenbgcolor=thistleCarpet (i)3R5–7, 6–1, 6–413
6. Sergi Bruguera9Paris, Francebgcolor=thistleCarpet (i)3R6–2, 6–411
1992
7. Pete Sampras4Davis Cup, Fort Myers, United StatesHardRR6–4, 6–3, 2–6, 6–310
8. Pete Sampras4Rome, ItalyClayQF1–6, 7–6(7–4), 6–39
9. Michael Stich5World Team Cup, Düsseldorf, GermanyClayRR6–3, 6–28
10. Pete Sampras3World Team Cup, Düsseldorf, GermanyClayRR6–3, 6–18
11. Stefan Edbergbgcolor=thistle2Long Island, United StatesHardbgcolor=yellowSF7–5, 7–56
12. Ivan Lendl9Long Island, United StatesHardbgcolor=limeF6–2, 6–26
13. Ivan Lendl9Basel, SwitzerlandHard (i)bgcolor=yellowSF6–4, 6–37
1993
14. Stefan Edberg3Miami, United StatesHardQF7–6(7–3), 7–6(7–5)5
15. Michael Stich10World Team Cup, Düsseldorf, GermanyClayRR7–6(7–0), 6–16
16. Stefan Edberg3World Team Cup, Düsseldorf, GermanyClayRR6–1, 6–16
17. Michael Stich7Davis Cup, Halle, Germanybgcolor=#cfcGrassRR6–2, 7–6(7–5)9
18. Ivan Lendl7Montreal, CanadaHardQF7–6(7–4), 6–111
19. Sergi Bruguera4Grand Slam Cup, Munich, Germanybgcolor=thistleCarpet (i)QF4–6, 6–0, 6–412
20. Pete Samprasbgcolor=lime1Grand Slam Cup, Munich, Germanybgcolor=thistleCarpet (i)bgcolor=yellowSF3–6, 7–6(7–3), 3–6, 7–6(12–10), 13–1112
21. Michael Stichbgcolor=thistle2Grand Slam Cup, Munich, Germanybgcolor=thistleCarpet (i)bgcolor=limeF2–6, 6–4, 7–6(7–5), 2–6, 11–912
1994
22. Goran Ivanišević7Milan, Italybgcolor=thistleCarpet (i)QF6–4, 4–6, 6–214
23. Sergi Bruguera4Milan, Italybgcolor=thistleCarpet (i)bgcolor=yellowSF4–6, 6–1, 6–414
24. Todd Martin9Indian Wells, United StatesHard3R6–4, 3–6, 6–214
25. Magnus Gustafsson10Munich, GermanyClayQF6–4, 6–413
26. Stefan Edberg3World Team Cup, Düsseldorf, GermanyClayRR6–1, 6–412
27. Stefan Edberg6Paris, Francebgcolor=thistleCarpet (i)2R4–6, 6–1, 6–420
1995
28. Michael Chang5Wimbledon, London, United Kingdombgcolor=#cfcGrass2R6–4, 6–4, 6–456
1996
29. Goran Ivanišević5Ostrava, Czech Republicbgcolor=thistleCarpet (i)2R7–6(7–5), 6–249
30. Marcelo Ríos10Paris, Francebgcolor=thistleCarpet (i)2R6–3, 6–437
1997
31. Thomas Muster4Halle, Germanybgcolor=#cfcGrassQF6–3, 6–427
32. Pete Samprasbgcolor=lime1US Open, New York, United StatesHard4R6–7(4–7), 7–5, 7–6(7–2), 3–6, 7–6(7–3)16
33. Marcelo Ríos10Stuttgart, Germanybgcolor=thistleCarpet (i)QF6–3, 6–417
34. Pat Rafter3Stuttgart, Germanybgcolor=thistleCarpet (i)bgcolor=yellowSF6–4, 7–6(7–3)17
1998
35. Jonas Björkman4Australian Open, Melbourne, AustraliaHardQF3–6, 5–7, 6–3, 6–4, 6–27
36. Marcelo Ríos8Australian Open, Melbourne, AustraliaHardbgcolor=limeF6–2, 6–2, 6–27
37. Jonas Björkman7World Team Cup, Düsseldorf, GermanyClayRR6–3, 6–1bgcolor=thistle2

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Petr Korda: Overview . ATP Tour . 28 June 2021.
  2. http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2015/03/former-no-1-rios-asks-for-doping-check-of-korda-from-1998/54258/#.VPjqSSgwLzI Rios asks for doping check of Korda from 1998
  3. News: Korda suspended for a year . The Augusta Chronicle . 1 September 1999 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130709121410/http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/1999/09/01/oth_269209.shtml . 9 July 2013 . Associated Press.
  4. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/264694.stm "Korda awaits doping case ruling"
  5. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/tennis/265534.stm "Korda escapes ban"
  6. Web site: Sebastian Korda Player Bio . ATP Tour . 13 September 2021 . 23 January 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211016064115/https://www.atptour.com/en/players/sebastian-korda/k0ah/bio . 16 October 2021 . live.