Nelly Korda, ranked No. 2 in the world entering this week’s U.S. Women’s Open at...
Petr Korda of the Czech republic yells in jubilation near the end of the final of the Australian Open in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, February 1, 1998. Korda defeated Marcelo Rios of Chile 6-2, 6-2, 6-2, to win his first grand slam title. PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. — Nelly Korda was in her mom’s belly when her dad, Petr, won the 1998 Australian Open tennis tournament. He climbed to No. 2 in the world ranking that winter, five months before Nelly was born.
She spoke after her practice round Monday at Pebble Beach, ahead of this week’s U.S. Women’s Open. Korda, the world’s top female golfer as recently as May 15, enters this event at No. 2 in the ranking, with her older sister Jessica at No. 43 . Their younger brother, Sebastian, is No. 25 in the men’s tennis world ranking.
“Yeah, when we played Monopoly as a family it got really heated,” Nelly Korda said. “We’re definitely very competitive but very close. We’ve always said we wouldn’t be where we are without each other and our parents, the guidance that they’ve given us. The resulting stop-and-start pattern has made it difficult to find a rhythm. She’s posted six top-10 finishes this year but is seeking her first victory since the Pelican Women’s Championship in November.