Sebastian Korda might have dispatched some of the top players on his journey to his first Australian Open quarterfinal, but the 22-year-old humorously insists he’s the “worst athlete” in his family.
This statement holds weight considering his family’s impressive athletic achievements in two different sports. Both of his parents were professional tennis players.
His father, Petr, won the Australian Open in 1998, and his mother, Regina Rajchrtova, achieved a career-high ranking of 26. His sisters, Jessica and Nelly, are both successful professional golfers. Jessica has won six LPGA events, while Nelly claimed the Women’s PGA Championship in 2021.
After his straight-sets victory over two-time finalist Daniil Medvedev in the third round on Friday, Korda humorously downplayed his own accomplishments.
“I don’t know what I’m going to be ranked,” he remarked during his post-match interview on court. “But my mom’s career high was 26, my dad was two, my sister Nelly was No. 1, my older sister Jessica was six, so I’m definitely the worst athlete in the family so far!”
Currently ranked world No. 31, Korda is poised to rise in the rankings following his stellar performance in Melbourne. After defeating Medvedev, he triumphed over Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz in a grueling five-set match to reach his first career quarterfinal.
Korda relied on a bit of superstition during his final-set tiebreak against Hurkacz. “The towel got me through it,” he joked. “Every time I went to the towel, I won the point, so I just kept going to it. My new friend.”
Korda is part of a new generation of American tennis players making waves on the sport’s biggest stages. However, his run in Australia came to an end on Tuesday when he had to retire from his quarterfinal match against Karen Khachanov due to a wrist injury. He was trailing 7-6, 6-3, 3-0 when he withdrew.
A former junior champion at the Australian Open, Korda won his first, and so far only, ATP title two years ago. He nearly defeated Novak Djokovic at the Adelaide International on January 8, demonstrating his potential against the best.
“The American players have pushed each other and helped each other to believe they can compete close to that level,” former player turned broadcaster John McEnroe said in an interview with Eurosport. “If I had to pick one, I’d probably pick Sebastian Korda; he’s the youngest of that current top group of Americans and the one with the most upside right now.”
In addition to his talented family, Korda benefits from the mentorship of eight-time Grand Slam champion Andre Agassi. Agassi has been supporting Korda for the past two years, helping him become one of the most promising players on tour. Korda mentioned that Agassi has been staying up all night in the US to watch his matches in Melbourne.
“He’s one of the most special people in my life. We started talking during Covid in 2020. He’s been one of the biggest parts in my rise,” Korda said, according to the ATP. “Just overall, just as a tennis player, as a human being. We spend a lot of time together. Yeah, he’s very special to me.”
Korda faced Russian Karen Khachanov in the quarterfinals on Tuesday, with his family undoubtedly watching closely. His sister Nelly, however, dismissed his modesty.
“It’s complete BS,” she told reporters at the LPGA’s Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions when asked about her brother’s claims. “Honestly, he’s the best. His hand-eye coordination is unbelievable. His swing – I’m jealous of his swing actually. It’s crazy. He’s a lefty.
He’s a natural righty, but he plays golf lefty. He played hockey lefty. I mean, he grew up playing hockey – he was pretty good at it, too. He skates really nicely, plays golf nicely, plays tennis beautifully.”
While the outcome in Melbourne remains uncertain, Korda has all the makings of the next great American tennis star.