Nelly Korda proudly hoisted the American flag after clinching the gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, a moment that filled every American with pride. But have you ever wondered about the roots of this remarkable athlete?
Nelly Korda is undeniably American, born and raised in Bradenton, Florida. Though she continues to reside in Bradenton, her family’s story began far from American shores, in a country known as Czechoslovakia.
Korda’s parents, Petr Korda and Regina Rajchrtová, were both celebrated athletes in Czechoslovakia before they made the United States their home. According to *People*, “Korda’s parents are Czechoslovakian; Petr was born in Prague, and Regina was born in Havlíčkův Brod.” After retiring from their sports careers, they gained U.S. citizenship and raised their three children in Florida.
Petr Korda, Nelly’s father, was a formidable tennis player who brought several victories and a Grand Slam title to Czechoslovakia. He once reached the pinnacle of the tennis world, being ranked World No. 2.
Nelly’s mother, Regina Rajchrtová, was also an accomplished tennis player from Czechoslovakia. Although she may not have reached the same heights as her husband, she had a successful career, with two singles and three doubles titles. Notably, Rajchrtová competed in the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul. Given that both of Korda’s parents were born in Czechoslovakia and only later moved to America, it is clear that her ethnic background is Czechoslovakian.
But the Korda legacy of athletic excellence doesn’t stop with Nelly. Her siblings, Jessica and Sebastian, have also made significant strides in the sports world. Jessica Korda, Nelly’s elder sister, paved the way in golf, inspiring Nelly to follow in her footsteps. Meanwhile, their brother, Sebastian Korda, has made a name for himself in tennis, currently ranked World No. 18.
In the Korda family, excellence in sports is a tradition, passed down from parents to children, with each member contributing to their shared legacy of achievement on the global stage.