14
Radek Stepanek: Farewell to a Tennis Legend
67 Comments · Posted by Scoop Malinowski in Scoop
By Scoop Malinowski
Radek Stepanek turned pro in 1996 and struggled for five years as a doubles journeyman until November 2001 when he approached Petr Korda asking how he could improve his game. Korda responded, “I will help you but you will listen to everything and I guarantee to you that you will be ranked in the top 70.”
Stepanek listened to Korda’s advice and inspiration. He began 2002 ranked 547 and finished at 63. That was just the beginning. Stepanek would achieve a career-high singles ranking as world No. 8 (in July 2006) and best doubles ranking of world No. 4.
Stepanek’s biggest achievements are reaching two Masters 1000 event finals and the quarterfinals of Wimbledon in 2006, and winning the deciding match two years in a row for Czech Republic’s Davis Cup winning team in 2012 and again in 2013. Stepanek won a total of 384 career singles matches.
In doubles, Stepanek also shined, winning his first Grand Slam title at the 2012 Australian Open, along with partner Leander Paes, defeating the Bryan Brothers in the final. Paes and Step, a dynamic duo together, also won the men’s doubles title at the 2013 US Open, defeating Bruno Soares and Alexander Peya in the final. Paes, a legendary doubles champion, said last year his all time favorite partner was Stepanek. Last year in Rio, Stepenak added a bronze medal in mixed doubles (with Hradecka) to his trophy collection.
I have many vivid memories of covering Stepanek. We did a Biofile in the late 90s at the US Open locker room. He was wearing camouflage pants and said his mom was a librarian. He almost beat Novak Djokovic at the US Open in 2007, forcing the Serbian to a fifth set tiebreaker on Armstrong Stadium. Step beat world no. 1 Gustavo Kuerten at the Australian Open. Always a character on the court, he would express himself in many ways, busting dance moves, or telling Paes “I love you” to his face on the changeover chair after breaking the Bryan Brothers at Miami Open in 2012. Paes responded by grabbing and kissing Step’s forehead.
Last year on December 1, a Sunday morning I saw Stepanek practicing at IMG Academy with Christian Harrison and Pat Harrison feeding balls to each. Step and Harrison would hit alternating inside out and inside in forehands, about ten in a row. Why this stands out was that Stepanek was grunting and playing with 100% intensity, and it was only Dec. 1, still a month away from the start of the 2017 season. This illustrated what a hard worker and how serious Stepanek was.
There’s more. I tried to do a quick interview with Step after the on court workout but he said he couldn’t because he was on the way to indoor fitness training.
Talk about hard work. Not many, if any, players worked harder than Stepanek who at a few weeks short of 38 is still in top physical shape. He said today that his back issue is still a problem and it’s time to stop playing. The spirit is still there to play but the body won’t cooperate.
Still, it was a glorious career achieved by Stepanek. Five singles titles, two major doubles titles, two Davis Cups and over $11 million in prize money. Not bad for a struggling doubles specialist who was smart enough to request and listen to the wisdom of Petr Korda.
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1 2 Next »Hartt · November 14, 2017 at 3:55 pm
That’s a great story about Stepanek enlisting Korda’s help. He obviously truly loved tennis and it’s a shame his body gave out on him.
Scoop Malinowski · November 14, 2017 at 4:31 pm
Scoop Malinowski writes:
Hartt; And it really shows that any struggling player could turn their career(s) around with a spark of some productive advice. Korda constructing Stepanek is one of the most impressive coaching jobs I can think of.
El Dude · November 14, 2017 at 4:39 pm
With Tommy Haas retired and now Stepanek, Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo is the lone man born in 1978 left in the top 500 (he's #423).
Moxie · November 14, 2017 at 6:01 pm
Everyone will miss Radek, I think. What a joyful player. (OK, I won't miss The Worm, though.)
Scoop Malinowski · November 14, 2017 at 6:26 pm
Scoop Malinowski writes:
John Paul Fruttero is 36 and he's playing doubles in Champaign right now. Gotta take your hat off to some of these guys like Hidalgo and Fruttero who just won't quit. They still believe.
El Dude · November 14, 2017 at 6:32 pm
Younes El Aynaoui played a Future this year and last (he even won his first match in Bahrain, gaining a single point!). He's 46 – born the same year as Sampras.
GameSetAndMath · November 14, 2017 at 7:10 pm
I really have lot of respect for Radek. He was quite successful both on and off the court!
He was very determined, made a lot of successful comebacks after injury breaks.
About an year or two ago, he said that after retiring, he will be coaching Nick Kyrgios.
Any current word on that.
Hartt · November 14, 2017 at 7:35 pm
In terms of older players who are still doing quite well, Ivo Karlovic is 38 and will turn 39 in Feb. He is ranked No. 79.
Scoop Malinowski · November 14, 2017 at 8:26 pm
Scoop Malinowski writes:
No word on that but wouldn't be surprised if they connect next year though Nick is working with Grosjean now. The funny thing about Nick and Step is they played at Roland Garros four years ago and Nick won in three sets and in the final set Step intentionally bumped into Nick on a changeover to try to intimidate him. I was told this by Nick's brother Cristos three years ago at US Open. But Kyrgios and Step are friends now.
Scoop Malinowski · November 14, 2017 at 8:31 pm
Scoop Malinowski writes:
79 is pretty low for Ivo, he's usually around 25-40. So pressure will be on Ivo to get some wins early next year to boost that ranking. Nobody wants to play Challengers after being on the ATP Tour for over a decade though Paes is playing his third US Challenger in three weeks – Charlottesville, Knoxville and now Champaign IL. Paes is obviously gearing up his ranking for another season in 2018. Paes talked in January this year of being at the end like he was just about to quit but it seemed like a smokescreen to soften up opponents. Paes had a pretty good year for his age he's still competitive though his serve his average and his volleys are not as reliable as before.
Moxie · November 14, 2017 at 8:32 pm
No way!
Front242 · November 15, 2017 at 1:00 am
Very disappointing news to hear Stepanek has retired as he had recently (prior to his back surgery) said he hoped to play into his fourties. Still had the game the give the top guys fits (gave Murray hell at RG in his first round match recently) and was one of the last all court players on tour and had great touch at the net and an unorthodox game. Seems the back surgery was the deal breaker. With his reputation for the ladies, he's likely to do damage to his back on or off court anyway lol.
Front242 · November 15, 2017 at 2:01 am
Btw, though he said he may well call it quits after Kitzbuehel, Haas has not yet officially retired. Most likely he has but nothing official as yet to confirm that. Must admit I had hoped maybe he'd rest up and get over his foot surgery a bit better, train like a mofo in the off season and give himself a proper send off but most likely he's gone sadly.
catherine · November 15, 2017 at 2:20 am
Hartt – see that Milos and Piatti have parted company. Milos certainly seems to go through some changes in his teams 🙂 Is this good or not ?
Dan Markowitz · November 15, 2017 at 5:50 am
Actually Scoop, Step is an outlier. Most guys ranked #579 at age 24 are never going to make it into the top 50 no matter what sage advice a Korda tells them. The reality to keep on playing like a Step to try to make a real living as a player is nil to very slim. You take a guy like Mitchell Krueger. He’s been out there for awhile. He hits a really good ball. High chances are he won’t ever break top 100.
You can make argument that it’s because they’re not getting coaching from a top coach like Korda, but Steps situation was rare that at 579 a guy like Korda would even pay attention to him. Also, who’s to say that Korda didn’t hook Steps up with some PED’s. It obviously worked for Korda. I liked Step a lot as a player; his game was so clean and disparate to the average player today, but Spadea said by far, he was most annoying player to play.
britbox · November 15, 2017 at 6:02 am
Jeez, can't believe he's still giving it ago. Best memory of that guy was the classic v Roddick at the AO.
Scoop Malinowski · November 15, 2017 at 6:10 am
Scoop Malinowski writes:
Something is not functioning properly with Team Raonic. He seems to be blaming the injuries and his coaches for his failures. If it was just the injuries wouldn't he stick with his team?
Hartt · November 15, 2017 at 6:52 am
Raonic and Piatti have been together for 4 years, which is quite long these days. Piatti made the actual announcement and the way it is worded it sounds like it was his decision to move on. If he follows the pattern of Ljubicic and Moya he will now start coaching a superstar!
Ricardo · November 15, 2017 at 7:02 am
Front242 said:
↑
considering those ladies are WTA women who are pretty physical, i am not surprised he's done his back for good.
Hartt · November 15, 2017 at 7:35 am
I want to address this idea that Milos often makes changes in his teams. His coach when he made his breakthrough on the pro tour was Galo Blanco. Milos worked with him from late 2010 until mid-2013. Apparently his childhood coach, Casey Curtis (whom Milos worked with for 9 years), and other players told Milos the strategy Blanco was using was wrong for him – staying too far back. (Later even Federer commented that the “Spanish coaches” had Milos way too far back.) It was a tough decision for Milos, he and Galo were friends, but he made the switch and started working with Ljubicic.
He was with Ljubicic from June 2013 to Nov. 2015. As we know, then Ljubicic immediately started working with Federer. One can’t blame Ivan for wanting to coach an old friend who was also a superstar, but the split was not Milos’ decision. Then the same pattern happened with Carlos Moya, who left to coach his old friend and a superstar, Nadal.
Riccardo Piatti worked along with Ljubicic and has been Milos’ regular coach since Ljubicic left. Milos has had a variety of additional coaches recently, including John McEnroe, who had to leave because of a conflict with his commentating role. (JMac has said he had to choose between the 2 roles.) Whether having these other coaches has been a good idea or not, I don’t know, but it looks like they were, for the most part, brought in for a limited time, not as an integral part of the team.
But since he became a successful pro, Milos has had 3 regular coaches – Blanco, Ljubicic and Piatti, plus Moya as a co-coach with Piatti.
Hartt · November 15, 2017 at 8:20 am
The tale of Filip Peliwo continues. He beat Eubanks in the first round of the Champaign Challenger and faces Henri Laaksonen next. He lost to Henri a couple weeks ago and then beat him in Knoxville, so it looks like that match could go either way.
I hope Peliwo’s career can follow Stepanek’s. Filip started the year ranked No. 512. I don’t expect him to make the top 50 like Stepanek did, but top 100 would be great.
catherine · November 15, 2017 at 9:53 am
Dimitrov currently cruising against Goffin who is probably exhausted.
Hartt · November 15, 2017 at 10:55 am
That match between Dimitrov and Goffin was hard to watch. Catherine, I imagine you are right that Goffin is exhausted, he was far from his best. On the other hand, Grigor was in the zone. As he said in his post match interview, it was one of those days when everything turned to gold.
I hope Goffin will be in good shape for the Davis Cup finals. He is crucial for any hope of success by Belgium.
Front242 · November 15, 2017 at 12:03 pm
Classic match alright and likewise best memory of him.
El Dude · November 15, 2017 at 12:24 pm
I wouldn't say he's really giving it a go. He didn't play any tournaments from 2011 to 2015, and I think before that barely any for a few years. Maybe just having a bit of fun, like when Thomas Muster played Dominic Thiem a few years ago.
GameSetAndMath · November 15, 2017 at 12:25 pm
Once Radek defeated Fed on Clay. After losing the match, (the ever humble) Fed criticized Radek's play and said this is not how one should play on clay. :laugh:
Radek was using lot of unorthodox play in that match and did not indulge in typical baseline attrition game that most people play on clay.
Having said that it looked odd that Fed was criticizing his opponent's play after losing the match. Bad timing.
catherine · November 15, 2017 at 1:32 pm
Off topic but – WTA seasonal whirlygig – Sascha Bajin has surprisngly left Wozniaki team and is up for grabs – whereto next Sascha ? Back to Serena ?
Scoop Malinowski · November 15, 2017 at 2:00 pm
Scoop Malinowski writes:
Raonic beat Federer the first time they played when Ljubicic was with Federer which was a surprising win for Raonic because you would have thought Ljubicic would have clued Fed in on Raonic's weak points. Thought that was a major win for Raonic, one that would get him over the hump and lift him to the next level but it did not.
Scoop Malinowski · November 15, 2017 at 2:02 pm
Scoop Malinowski writes:
Goffin may be costing Belgium the Davis Cup. You know for sure Hewitt will instruct Kyrgios and Thompson to grind Goffin down, Goffin should pull out of WTF now.
Duke Carnoustie · November 15, 2017 at 2:42 pm
Scoop,
Belgium is playing France. They already knocked out Kyrgios.
Hartt · November 15, 2017 at 4:04 pm
Milos did have a successful 2016. After defeating Fed in Brisbane, he made the SFs or Finals or several big tourneys, including the Wimby finals and finished the season ranked No.3.
Scoop Malinowski · November 15, 2017 at 4:24 pm
Scoop Malinowski writes:
Duke, you're right, forgot that. France will be heavy favorites with Goffin depleted.
Scoop Malinowski · November 15, 2017 at 4:27 pm
Scoop Malinowski writes:
Hartt; 2016 may have been the pinnacle of Raonic's career. His self belief may be toast now.
Hartt · November 15, 2017 at 5:43 pm
Scoop, why so pessimistic about Raonic? He is 26 years old, he is far from toast. My big concern is about the injuries. But if he can stay healthy he is capable of doing well. Especially in this time when so many players are having good results late in their careers.
Scoop Malinowski · November 15, 2017 at 6:52 pm
Scoop Malinowski writes:
Hartt; Hope I'm wrong but that's just my sense on Raonic. How can he play any better? Looks like the top guys have him figured out and some of the younger guys can also handle him. Raonic could be one of those players, Wally Masur indirectly mentioned as creating and fabricating excuses for their own fragile egos. Not sure I buy all of the injuries or the severity of the injuries. Would love to see Raonic prove me very wrong as he certainly deserves to be a Grand Slam champion and he has more than paid his dues.
catherine · November 16, 2017 at 5:11 am
Angelique K has left a long message to everyone on her Facebook but unfortunately it is all in German so I can unnderstand only a few phrases and the last few words: ‘ tennis is my passion’. So maybe she won’t be retiring quite yet.
Meanwhile she is on holiday in the sun and I hope she did not pack a tennis racquet 🙂
No comments here on the Federer/Zvrerev match earlier – did anyone see it ?
Hartt · November 16, 2017 at 7:22 am
I saw the Fed vs Sascha match. It was a strange one, neither player was at his best. Fed won a close first set and then played poorly during much of the 2nd – DFs, uncharacteristic UFEs, first serve MIA. Sascha won that set, so it looked like the decider could be interesting. But Fed ran away with it, with Sascha playing poorly. Roger did enough to win, but he will need to play better today.
Hartt · November 16, 2017 at 7:33 am
There are several American players in the Champaign QFs, with only Brit Norrie and Canuck Peliwo from other counties. Guess that is not a big surprise – the original field had tons of Americans, as you would expect. Some good players remaining – including Fritz.
Scoop Malinowski · November 16, 2017 at 9:08 am
Scoop Malinowski writes:
Peliwo just keep pounding down everyone. Looks like the breakout of an overdue junior star is happening now. Peliwo was a member of the tennis Warehouse.com forum in his early years about five years ago and he would start threads and answer all questions by fans which was really interesting. I asked him about his hit with Federer and included the very good comments in my book Facing Federer. Peliwo was very active for a while, then as he struggled he wasn't as active on the forum. Fritz vs Paul today and Sandgren keeps winning. Double Mac is winning matches now too.
Hartt · November 16, 2017 at 9:42 am
Kerber has parted ways with Torben Beltz. Her new coach is Wim Fissette.
catherine · November 16, 2017 at 10:26 am
Hartt- Do you know I’ve been wondering about that ever since I saw that Fisette was available. I think it might work out well. The writing was on the wall for Torben after the USO IMO. And all that in the background might have accounted for some of Angie’s listless performances at the end of the year.
Fisette has a history of short stays (Simona for one) but I don’t think Angie has made the change on impulse. This year has been so awful for her at times.
catherine · November 16, 2017 at 10:35 am
I wondered why Fisette split with Konta – no one in the British press knows, or isn’t telling.
Hartt · November 16, 2017 at 10:40 am
I knew Fissette had worked with several WTA players, so looked it up. Quite a list – Clijsters, Lisicki, Halep, Vika, Errani and Konta. I wonder if he would still be with Vika if not for her pregnancy. On his Wiki page Kerber is already listed.
catherine · November 16, 2017 at 11:16 am
I think Fisette would probably have stayed with Vika. But I imagine Angie did not make the change lightly and she has probably been talking about it for a while behind the scenes with various people. A bit of headhunting going on no doubt. The decision was probably made before she went on holiday.
Of all those players possibly Angie is the most mature and talented and prepared to persevere for a while.(I except Clijsters) Didn’t work with Simona because maybe she wasn’t ready for serious coaching then.
Scoop Malinowski · November 16, 2017 at 12:56 pm
Scoop Malinowski writes:
If Fissette is so in demand as a coach by all these players, imagine what a guy like Spadea could do…
Joe Blow · November 16, 2017 at 1:44 pm
Why would anyone want a coach who couldn’t think his way out of a 20 match losing streak?
Plus, I thought Spadea thinks he’s the next Eileen Ford, and doesn’t want to leave L A?
Spadea should try to be the next Landsorp, have the players come to you, but I guess he’s only the second coming on TP, not in pro locker rooms.
Thomas Tung · November 16, 2017 at 3:48 pm
I, for one, would be very curious to see how Spadea would coach in a WTA match.
Side note: wonder why Vince hasn’t settled down and married yet?
Duke Carnoustie · November 16, 2017 at 4:19 pm
One more note on Stepanek that may have been mentioned is how he dated plenty of WTA players. Hingis, Vaidasova, Kvitova, any others? Obviously Grigor is high on this list too. Wonder which young up and comer will hold this role next. One of the Russians perhaps?
Hartt · November 16, 2017 at 4:31 pm
Stepanek was engaged to Hingis, and was married to Vaidisova from 2010 to 2013. He dated Kvitova in 2014, causing a lot of comments. Some of us used to joke that the Czech tennis players should stay clear of him. At one point Stepanek swore off dating tennis players. It was hard to understand his appeal, but obviously he had it!
In terms of the Russian players, Khachanov is an attractive guy, but at the tender age of 21 is already married.
So Grigor is the most likely guy, although think he is still has a GF at the moment.
Scoop Malinowski · November 16, 2017 at 4:33 pm
Scoop Malinowski writes:
Now why would one want to focus on the worst segment of Spadea's fine career? He won one ATP singles title and had wins over Agassi, Sampras, Federer, Nadal, Rafter, Roddick, etc. Had a pro career that lasted well over a decade. Spadea's career is a lot more than anything Fissette achieved.