Adelaide, Australian Open, Berdych: Everything you always wanted to know about Jiri Lehecka (but never had time to find out) – updated after 2024 Madrid Open
Here’s everything you need to know about the Czech who won his first ATP title in Adelaide this year and has reached his maiden Masters 1000 semi-finals
CTK Photobank / Panoramic
Who is Jiri Lehecka?
Jiri Lehecka is a Czech tennis player who broke into the world’s top 100 for the first time in his career in 2022. He reached the quarter-finals of the Australian Open in 2023 and 2024 and has been ranked as high as No 23 in the world.
WHat did jiri lehecka do at the 2024 madrid open?
Jiri Lehecka reached the semi-finals of Madrid in May 2024 to reach his first Masters 1000 semi-final, albeit via a walkover quarter-final win over an injured Daniil Medvedev. He also beat Rafael Nadal 7-5, 6-4 in the round of 16, ending the Spaniard’s final appearance at the tournament.
In the semi-finals, Lehecka was forced to retire with a lower back injury after just six games against Felix Auger-Aliassime.
Lehecka had reached his first Masters 1000 quarter-final at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells in March 2024, beating Andrey Rublev and Stefanos Tsitsipas to get there. The effort ensured him a return to the world’s top 30.
WhAT DID Lehecka DO IN ADELAIDE IN 2024?
Lehecka won his first career ATP title at the Adelaide Open.
The Czech played the then 62nd-ranked Jack Draper in the final, who was in red-hot form having made the Sofia Open final in late 2023. Draper took the lead and in Lehecka’s words, “was the better player for almost two sets.”
However, Lehecka managed to steal the second set with some incredible net play in the ninth game, before going on a five-game winning streak to claim a break in the decider that would prove crucial. He would win the match 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 in Adelaide.
“It’s a dream come true for me. I always wanted to win a trophy, so it’s even better that I won it here in Adelaide, in Australia where I love it. Happy for the win,” said Lehecka after winning the trophy.
En route to the final, Lehecka defeated Australian Alex Walton 6-1, 6-3, Serbia’s Dusan Lajovic 7-5, 4-6, 6-3, No 2 seed Nicolas Jarry 6-4, 7-5 and No 3 seed Sebastian Korda 6-2, 6-1.
Is Lehecka working with Tomas Berdych?
Berdych is serving as a mentor and supercoach to his countryman Lehecka, having teamed up in Monte-Carlo for the first time in 2023.
“(With Jiri), it all came quite naturally – at the beginning of this year, we started to talk a little bit and then he came up with an idea to add me to the team. Since Monaco, we spent a couple of weeks together, this is our first Slam and everything is going pretty good,” Berdych said in a recent interview to Tennis Majors.
What did Jiri Lehecka do at the Australian Open in 2023?
Jiri Lehecka reached his first Grand Slam quarter-final at the Australian Open in January 2023. He beat Borna Coric, Cameron Norrie and Felix Auger-Aliassime, before losing to Stefanos Tsitsipas in the last eight.
What did Jiri Lehecka do at the Next Gen Finals in 2022?
Jiri Lehecka qualified for the Next Gen Finals in 2022, having been the first alternate in 2021, before deciding to play a tournament elsewhere instead of staying in Milan on the off-chance someone got injured.
Lehecka won two of his three round-robin group matches, beating Francesco Passaro and Matteo Arnaldi but losing to Brandon Nakashima to make the last four in Milan. He then beat Swiss Dominic Stricker in the semi-finals to reach the final, only to lose to Nakashima again in the final.
What is Jiri Lehecka’s highest ranking?
Jiri Lehecka’s best ranking to date is No 23, a mark he reached on January 15, 2024. You can find his current ranking and his rankings history on his ATP Tour profile page.
Who is Jiri Lehecka’s coach?
Jiri Lehecka is coached by Michal Navratil, a former player and fellow Czech. Navratil previously coached Adam Pavlasek and was a hitting partner for Tomas Berdych for several years.
Who are Jiri Lehecka’s family?
Jiri Lehecka is from a family of athletes. His mother, Romana, was a track and field athlete while his father, was a professional swimmer. He also has a sister, Veronika.
Who was Jiri Lehecka’s favourite player growing up?
Jiri Lehecka’s favourite player was Roger Federer, though he enjoyed watching fellow Czechs Tomas Berdych and Radek Stepanek. In March, 2023, Berdych trained with Lehecka in Dubai and predicted a bright future for him.
“He’s very young but what I’ve seen, it’s really the way he’s composed with his game,” I think it’s very good,” Berdych told ATP Media. “What I like is his fitness preparation or his body being strong and some of the young kids, they might struggle with it. They need more muscles or lack power. That’s definitely not his case, which I like.”
Was Jiri Lehecka a good junior?
Jiri Lehecka reached a career-high ranking of No 10 as a junior. He also won the doubles title at junior Wimbledon in 2019, partnering Jonas Forejtek.
What other sports does Jiri Lehecka play?
Jiri Lehecka says he enjoys hiking, cycling and skiing. “I have the genes to be a sportsman,” he told the ATP Tour website. “Sport is my passion all the way, up and down.”
