Sebastian Korda
PROS: “He has the soundest technique [of all the talented, young American players]. He does everything well,” said Annacone. Indeed, experts often use the phrase “effortless power” to describe Korda’s groundstrokes. The 21-year-old Korda is also blessed with a terrific pedigree. His father, Petr, ranked No. 2 and won the 199■ Australian Open, while his mother, Regina, whom Sebastian credits for teaching him his impeccable strokes, peaked at No. 26. These nature and nurture advantages also no doubt strengthened his mental game.
“Korda has the poise of a champion at a young age,” says Mayer. “I like his aura of calm and relaxation during the heat of battle,” agrees Courier. As one of the tour’s happiest players, 39th-ranked Sebastian is wellequipped to handle the vicissitudes of competition, and his terrific technique should reduce the chances of a significant injury.
CONS: “His serve needs to become more of a weapon for his [6'5"] size,” says Mayer. While the top 50 men average 115 mph for first serves, the elite players serve much faster. Zverev averages over 130 mph, and several others average over 120, while Korda averaged
only 117.6 mph in his victory over Sebastian Baez at the Next Gen ATP Finals. He also has to increase his low ace average of 5.27 per match in 2021. A mid-season technique change from a platform stance to a step-up serve should produce more firepower.
Korda has to answer three more questions: Can he learn to play defense almost as effectively as Djokovic, Nadal, Medvedev, Zverev, Tsitsipas, Rublev, and Augeraliassime?
Can he beat the best players, the heavyweights — considering his best wins in 2021 came against middleweights No. 9 Diego Schwartzman, No. 10 Roberto Bautista Agut, and No. 15 Alex De Minaur? And can he improve his No. 1■ Under Pressure rating, particularly his low 47.6% of tiebreakers won?
Korda will resoundingly dispel these doubts in 2022 and reach a major final.