"The reason why I started playing tennis" - Sebastian Korda details 'crazy' US Open experience with his father Petr, Novak Djokovic & Radek Stepanek
Sebastian Korda won his second tour-level title at the Citi Open on Sunday, August 4. In a press conference after the final, the American detailed how he fell in love with tennis during the 2009 US Open, when Radek Stepanek, coached by Sebastian's father Petr, faced Novak Djokovic at the Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Sebastian was asked how much of an impact his father had on his tennis career. He detailed how he used to play tennis and ice hockey but was asked to choose and pursue one sport.
He fell in love with tennis when he visited the 2009 US Open round of 16 match between Stepanek and Djokovic. Although Stepanek, who was coached by Petr, lost 1-6, 3-6, 3-6, Sebastian decided to pursue a tennis career.
"My dad coached Radek Stepanek. Almost every summer we would go with him to the US Open. That’s honestly the reason why I started playing tennis. I went to the US Open in 2009. I was playing ice hockey as well. My parents said, you kind of have to decide what you really want to do," Sebastian Korda said (per thesportsrush).
"Yeah, I fell in love with tennis at the US Open. Radek played Djokovic, Arthur Ashe, at like 10:00 at night. Crazy atmosphere. Went home and decided that was the sport I wanted to do," he added.
Sebastian Korda took part in his eighth tour-level final against first-time finalist Flavio Cobolli. Much like the whole week, the Citi Open final also faced a delay due to the rain in Washington DC. However, it did not deter Korda from registering an impressive comeback win 4-6, 6-2, 6-0.
Korda became the first American man to triumph at the Citi Open since Andy Roddick's 2007 win. Moreover, Petr Korda had also won the title back in 1992, making him and his son Sebastian the first father-son duo to win the same title in ATP Tour history.
"The most special moment of my career so far" - Sebastian Korda fulfilled one of his biggest goals by winning Citi Open
Fourth seed Sebastian Korda took out seventh seed Jordan Thompson and fifth seed Frances Tiafoe before getting the better of 10th seed Flavio Cobolli in the final.
During his speech after the final, Korda revealed that he has a history with the tournament, and winning in Washington was one of his biggest goals.
"I've been coming to this tournament since I was a teenager... We have a lot of history with this tournament, and obviously one of my biggest goals was one day coming here and hopefully winning the tournament and putting my name up there on the stadium," Sebastian Korda said (per ATP Tour).
"Now that I have the opportunity, this is probably the most special moment of my career so far," he added.
With the Citi Open title, Korda broke into the Top 20 ATP rankings for the first time. He would hope to continue his rise when he features next at the Canadian Open. The American will take on Canada's Vasek Pospisil in the first round on August 7.