By Scoop Malinowski (with an assist from Sander Groen)
DOB: March 1, 1946 In: Prague, Czech Republic
Ht: 5-9 Wt: 158
Status: French Open champion 1970, 1971; Wimbledon champion 1973.
First memory of tennis: My father was working at a tennis club and he brought me there.
Tennis heroes/inspirations: When I was a ball boy for Davis Cup Jiri Javorsky who was Czech Republic no. 1 and I dreamed of playing in front of such a crowd. Later Lew Hoad, Rod Laver when they came to Czech Republic for exhibitions.
First famous player you met or encountered: Jiri Javorsky.
Greatest moment of your career: Winning Grand Slams.
Most painful career moment: Loss final US Open 1973 when I was 2-1 up (vs. John Newcombe 46 61 64 26 36).
Favorite tournaments: Anywhere I played well.
Best you ever felt on court: 1972 Barcelona – won the tournament without losing a set (defeated Manuel Orantes in final 63 62 63).
Strangest match: Winning matches from 0-2 down, there were many.
Favorite players to watch: In the past Emerson, Olmedo, Sampras. Now Djokovic.
Funniest players encountered: Connors.
Funny tennis memory (anything that made you laugh): Seeing Michael Chang underhand serve live.
Why do you love tennis: Because tennis gave me everything I have and am.
Last book read: Winning Ugly.
Favorite artist(s): Frank Sinatra, Paul Anka.
Favorite ice cream flavor: Vanilla chocolate.
People qualities most admired: Honesty, animal lovers.
Career Accomplishments: Won three Grand Slam singles titles and was runner-up in 1971 and 1973 at US Open and 1977 French Open doubles (with Fibak); Career high ranking was no. 5; Won nine career singles titles and 17 in doubles; Played Davis Cup for 15 years starting in 1966 (94 matches), reaching finals vs. Sweden in 1975 and winning in 1980 vs. Italy; Inducted into International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1990.
Czech Republic · Davis Cup · French Open · International Tennis Hall of Fame · Jan Kodes · Wimbledon
Scoop Malinowski · August 15, 2024 at 10:25 am
This Biofile would not be possible without Sander Groen. Kodes was 2-0 in his first two Grand Slam finals. He never played the Australian Open