Shared Korda 'tennis DNA' helping coach Stepanek produce early results

Coaching one of the brightest young players in the men's game can present particular difficulties, but Radek Stepanek's relationship with Sebastian Korda has benefited from their shared "tennis DNA" as a result of his work with the American's father.Prior to becoming a coach, Stepanek, 44, attained a career-high world ranking of eight and twice assisted the Czech Republic in winning the Davis Cup. He has worked with players like Novak Djokovic and Grigor Dimitrov. Stepanek, who has been Petr Korda's coach for more than ten years, has taken the former Australian Open champion's son Sebastian under his wing and will work to support him. I greatly benefited from having Petr's tennis-playing DNA, so I believe he can rest easy knowing that I will only use what I have learned from him. There are a few little adjustments here and there, but fundamentally I share that DNA. Sebi was always my little brother; therefore, this is a wonderful development in life. As Korda demonstrated by almost defeating Djokovic in the Adelaide International 1 final before moving on to Melbourne Park, Stepanek said that concentrating on the mental side of the game has yielded early dividends in the collaboration. On the tennis court, there are minor things you practise every day, but at Grand Slams and major events, the mental aspect of the game is more crucial than any shot. "Since I joined his team, I have been working on it," Stepanek stated. "I think you'll see improvements in Sebi's behaviour on the tennis court compared to last year." "That's the largest change I think he's made, and he's seeing benefits so far," Stepanek predicted that Korda, who has never advanced past the major quarterfinals and will play in the Karen Khachanov of Russia on Tuesday will eventually prove his talent on the biggest platform and claim a victory. "Everyone is obviously playing for that," Stepanek remarked. "We're competing for the championships." He has a decent chance at this place, but we'll take it day by day. "We are concentrating on winning seven games, which is all that is necessary." If it occurs here or at a later time, it will occur in the future; we can only influence what occurs now. " Ideally, it will occur as quickly as possible. "He's on the right track, and I think if he keeps on course, then it's only a matter of time," the speaker said.