Queens, NY—Not long ago, Sebastian Korda was one of the most promising names in American men’s tennis. His breakthrough moment came at the 2020 French Open, when the 20-year-old qualifier, ranked No. 213, made a remarkable run to the fourth round before falling to his idol, Rafael Nadal. The following year, Korda achieved another milestone by becoming the youngest American to reach the fourth round at Wimbledon since Andy Roddick in 2003.
By 2023, Korda had reached his first Grand Slam quarterfinal at the Australian Open, setting the stage for what seemed like a bright future.
However, a series of injuries began to hinder his progress. Last year, Korda underwent surgery on his right elbow, and this season, a stress fracture in his right shin kept him sidelined for months. After a long recovery, he returned to competitive action at the Winston-Salem Open this week, marking his first appearance on tour since May’s French Open.
“I’ve missed this,” said the 25-year-old Korda, who was set to play in the Winston-Salem semifinals on Friday. “It’s been a long time, but it feels so good to be back on the court.” Korda added that after the MRI confirmed the shin injury, he took the necessary time off and resumed full practice just two weeks ago. Even during his downtime, he kept his tennis skills sharp by hitting balls while seated, wearing a boot to protect his leg.
“It’s been a lot of fun being back out here and running around,” Korda continued. “After all this, I’ll never take being able to run pain-free for granted.”
Korda’s career was on an upward trajectory just a year ago, when he reached a career-high ranking of No. 15 in the ATP rankings. His success included a title at Washington, D.C., and a semifinal finish in Montreal, suggesting that he was ready to push for the top of the men’s game. Alongside other rising stars like Taylor Fritz, Ben Shelton, and Frances Tiafoe, Korda seemed poised for continued growth.
But injuries put the brakes on his momentum. The elbow surgery sidelined him for a significant stretch, followed by the shin problem this year. As a result, Korda’s absence from key events, including Washington and Montreal, led to a major drop in his ranking, slipping all the way down to No. 86.
Before his return to Winston-Salem, Korda had played just 21 matches in 2023, finishing with an 11-10 record. He acknowledged that the physical setbacks have taken a toll on his season.
“I’ve definitely not been healthy, and that’s my main focus now,” Korda said. “I’m not trying to compare myself to anyone else, but it’s motivating to see my peers, like Ben, Taylor, Frances, and Tommy, doing so well. We’re all pushing each other forward.”
Raised in a sports-oriented family, Korda was always destined for greatness. His mother, Regina, was a top-30 tennis player, and his father, Petr, claimed the 1998 Australian CC title and was a French Open runner-up in 1992. Adding to the family’s sports legacy, Korda’s sisters, Nelly (a former No. 1 golfer) and Jessica, are both accomplished professional golfers.
Now, as Korda prepares for the U.S. Open, his journey has come full circle. With his body finally healthy again, he’s eager to make up for lost time and re-establish himself as a force in the men’s game.
