Tennis
Nelly Korda's Spectacular Victory and Family Bond
2024-11-17
Nelly Korda's latest triumph at the Annika Driven by Gainbridge at Pelican holds a special place. Not only did she secure her seventh victory of the season, but her younger brother, tennis professional Sebastian, was present to witness her close out the win. This moment was truly remarkable.

Family's Support Shines in Nelly Korda's Victory

Victory on the Golf Course

Korda showcased a masterclass on the back nine at Pelican Golf Club in Florida. With a run of five birdies in a row, she managed to outshine the challenges posed by Charley Hull, Im Jin Hee, and Weiwei Zhang by three shots, claiming her 14th LPGA Tour title. It was a display of her exceptional golfing skills.After the win, she revealed a heartwarming story. She had no idea her sibling was there until she saw him at the end of her round. She said, "I didn't know he was there on the last three. Just saw him on 18 when I made that last putt. Never won in front of him but family is so important to me. For him to drive up – it's not that close from my parents' house, an hour and 40. For him to drive an hour 40 with three holes remaining, one, he was very confident in me, and, two, just really nice to have his support and be out here. We haven't seen each other since the middle of summer, and to hug him, it was really, really nice."She added, "After I walked off the green I greeted him and he gave me a massive hug. We talked about him coming out but I didn't think he was going to just because he hasn't been home in a long time and probably wanted to spend a little time at home and didn't want to drive over an hour."

Family's Impact

Sebastian, who reached a career-high ATP singles ranking of 15th in August, was full of praise for his sister. He said, "Yeah, it's pretty cool to watch her do her thing. She's done so well this year; worked unbelievably hard. She's gone through a lot of things and always comes back fighting and has just gotten back to work. That's one of the most things I admire about her is just how hard of a worker she is. She's just overall an amazing athlete."He also revealed that his support for Nelly is reciprocated. "She watches almost all my matches whether I'm playing in Australia, Asia," he said. "She's always texting me and watching me."Nelly also cheered on Sebastian during his second-round US Open tennis match in August when he lost in straight sets to Tomas Machac.Following a T2 at The British Open, Nelly Korda spent some time at Flushing Meadows cheering brother Seb Korda on at The US Open. He plays his 2nd round matchup shortly this morning. [@NellyKorda ] Instagram story.The Kordas are a famous sporting family. Besides Sebastian and Nelly, sister Jessica is also an LPGA Tour star, while dad Petr and mom Regina Rajchrtova, who were also in attendance, are former tennis pros.Sebastian revealed Nelly's support extends to the whole family. He said, "I couldn't ask for more as a sister. The amount of support and love she gives to all of us, just an incredible person and just really love watching her do her thing."Even though Sebastian, who caddied for Nelly at the 2021 PNC Championship, finally witnessed his sister winning an event, he admitted that he had arrived at the course late. "I came for the last three holes," he said. "I flew in late so a little rough. Just happy to be here and watch her win."He also praised Nelly's work ethic, adding, "She's absolutely fierce. She's clutch. There is no one I guess works harder than her. She's an incredible hard worker and all that she achieves she earns. Just a lot of fun to watch her do her thing."
A Tennis Journey: From UCF to FGCU to UF
2024-11-18
JanMagnus Johnson's college tennis career is a remarkable tale of perseverance and adaptability. After starting at UCF, facing challenges and setbacks due to adjusting to college life and the COVID-19 pandemic, he transferred to FGCU. There, his talents truly flourished as he earned numerous accolades, including being named the Atlantic Sun Conference Freshman of the Year. His hard work and dedication both on and off the court were evident.

A Three-School Tennis Journey with Uncommon Success

UCF: The Initial Chapter

JanMagnus Johnson's collegiate journey began at UCF. However, his first semester was a time of adjustment as he struggled to find his footing. The pressure to perform on the court was intense, making it difficult to achieve the results he desired. But UCF still felt like a great fit, despite the initial challenges.During his short time with the Knights men's tennis team in Spring 2020, he showed promise. But just as he was getting started, the season was abruptly ended by the COVID-19 pandemic. This setback forced him to reevaluate his path and look for new opportunities.

FGCU: A New Beginning

After the uncertainty of the pandemic, Johnson chose to transfer to Florida Gulf Coast University. This decision brought him closer to his hometown of Cape Coral, Florida. At FGCU, he found a different environment where he was cared about as a person first. The focus was on growth and development rather than just on results.During his redshirt freshman season at FGCU, his talents truly shone. He was named the Atlantic Sun Conference Freshman of the Year and selected to the ASUN All-Freshman Team. Competing in all 14 matches, he had an impressive 9-3 singles record and a 7-4 doubles record.

UF: The Dream Come True

Today, Johnson is pursuing a master's degree in sports management with a focus on athlete development at UF. His arrival at Florida didn't come easily, as he faced an injury that sidelined him for most of his first season. But he embraced a new leadership role, serving as a mentor and coach for younger players.Johnson's long-time dream of playing for Florida has finally come true. He grew up loving the Gators and is now fulfilling his goal of finishing his college tennis career as a Gator. His journey is a testament to his work ethic and determination.Contact Carston Handy at chandy@alligator.org. Follow Carston on X @carston_handy.The Independent Florida Alligator has been independent of the university since 1971, your donation today could help #SaveStudentNewsrooms. Please consider giving today.Carston Handy is a junior journalism major with a focus in sports and media. Fall 2024 marks his first semester reporting sports with the Alligator. In his free time he enjoys spending time with his fiancé and their dog. He also enjoys playing a bunch of sports, including pickleball, basketball and soccer.
See More
Novak Djokovic's Season Finale and Future Plans
2024-11-17
Novak Djokovic has made a significant decision to end his season by skipping the final two events of the ATP calendar - the Rolex Paris Masters and the Nitto ATP Finals. This move has sparked various discussions among fans and insiders.

Unraveling Djokovic's Season and Future

Injury and Grand Slam Focus

The Serbian legend cited an injury as the reason for his absence in Turin. It is clear that at this stage of his career, Novak wants to pour all his energy into Grand Slam tournaments and the Davis Cup. This year, he has not played his best tennis in Masters 1000 events. For instance, at the Rolex Shanghai Masters last month, he only reached the final. However, he still has the opportunity to try for his 100th title in 2025 when he turns 38. He has already expressed his intention to play a tournament before the 2025 Australian Open, aiming to win his 25th Major title, which would be his 11th in Melbourne. When the Australian Open begins next January, Novak will be ranked world No. 7, a position that presents certain challenges in the draw. He might have to face tough opponents like Jannik Sinner or Carlos Alcaraz already in the quarterfinals.

Coach Search and Team Changes

Due to the underwhelming results in 2024, Djokovic has made changes to his team. Goran Ivanisevic and Marco Panichi have left, and he is currently without a coach. His great friend Carlos Gomez-Herrera is by his side, but there is speculation about whether he will hire a new coach for next year. In a recent interview with 'Sport Klub', former Serbian ace and Davis Cup captain Viktor Troicki shed some light on Novak's situation. He was glad to hear that Novak is 100 percent starting preparations for the new season. There were rumors of something brewing with a new coach, a big name perhaps. Troicki didn't have specific details but believed that Novak is highly motivated and wants to make a comeback next year. He also mentioned that this year, Novak's main focus was on the Olympic Games, and he demonstrated his ability to achieve his goals when he truly wants them. If he trains properly, we can expect many more titles from him. Troicki has known Novak for a long time and understands his determination.

Rivals and Future Challenges

In 2024, Novak has shown that he still has the caliber to win major titles. Despite undergoing knee surgery just a month earlier, he reached the final at the Wimbledon Championships. Moreover, he won the gold medal at the Paris Olympics by defeating Carlitos Alcaraz in one of the most exciting matches of the season. 2025 could be his last real chance to secure his 25th Major title, but it won't be easy with the rise of Sinner and Alcaraz. The Italian ace is currently superior to the Serbian and has defeated him in recent matches. He is also younger. Carlitos is less consistent than Jannik, but his peak performances are remarkable. These two players are likely to dominate again next season. After the ATP Finals semifinal, Casper Ruud suggested that Sinner's game is an evolution of Novak's. He said that with Novak, you can play rallies, and it's not as terrifying as facing his powerful shots. Ruud also emphasized that on TV, the speed of Jannik's game doesn't do it justice.
See More