The resemblance is striking.
Same face carved in the billhook and same determination on the court.
Twenty-eight years after his father Petr's lost final at Roland Garros (7-5, 6-2, 6-1) against Jim Courier, another Korda is pointing the tip of his nose on Parisian clay.
Winner of the Italian Andreas Seppi (6-2, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3) Sunday, Sebastian, 20, is playing the second round of the tournament this Wednesday against the powerful American John Isner.
He could therefore try to do better than his father who, at the same age, had been eliminated in the second round of the tournament by Boris Becker in 1988. This match will be a duel of compatriots because if the father had Czechoslovak nationality, the son, born in Florida where he trains and still lives, defends him the colors of the star-spangled banner.
Dominant in the juniors, where he won the Australian Open in 2018 - exactly 20 years after his father's title in the seniors - Sebastian is now trying to make his name on the main circuit.
Under the watchful and caring gaze of his father.
“Everyone experiences things differently, but it can actually be a bit hard on your nerves to sit on the side of the court, because you go through the ups and downs, without having control over what happens, said the dad. , at the beginning of the year the father, in an interview with a Canadian newspaper.
When I was playing, it was my wife who experienced the same feelings.
"
So far, so good for @SebiKorda on his debut in Paris. # RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/YHv15CcXP6
- Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) September 23, 2020
"My father helps me enormously, he supervises everything," confided the 212th world after his victory over Seppi.
He does not speak to me directly but we are still in contact.
He helps me enormously.
I don't think I would have accomplished everything I have done without him.
He helps me a lot, I am very grateful that he is there.
"
But among the Korda the little yellow ball is not the only one to be honored during rare family reunions.
If the dad, the mom - Regina Kordová is also a former tennis player - and the youngest of the family have chosen the tennis courts, the two daughters have favored the great outdoors and the golf greens.
With a certain talent also since Jessica, 27, and Nelly, 22, are renowned golfers of the American circuit.
Just like Isabelle Lendl, one of the five daughters of Ivan, triple winner of Roland Garros.
"My big sisters inspire me, they have a good season too," continues the youngest of the family.
We are still in touch.
We always talk about how we can improve.
My sisters help me a lot and I help them a lot.
Even though he thinks he has a good swing - "I'm pretty good, but the last time I beat my sisters I must have been 11" - Sebastian doesn't regret following in his parents' footsteps.
How far ?
