Google News Sebastian Korda: I looked up to Rafael Nadal ever since I started playing tennis
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Rising American star Sebastian Korda is hoping to have a deep run at the Citi Open in Washington and potentially win it all. Korda, who is enjoying a career-high ranking of No. 45 in the world, is set to make his debut appearance on the hard courts of Washington.
“I’ve had a really good year so far,” Korda said, per the Washington City Paper. “Sometimes you don’t realize how great of a year you’ve had. A year ago I was ranked 220 in the world. Now I’m in the top 50 competing for tournaments.
The process has been sped up super fast … Sometimes you don’t realize how well you’re doing. I really noticed that after Wimbledon. I kind of sat down and just thought about the year, how it’s gone. Yeah, just super happy with how everything’s going.
I’m putting in the work. Every day I’m just super grateful to be out here. “It would be super cool. My dad winning it, then Radek, he won here as well. I think that would be really awesome, just having my dad coaching him, then coaching me.
If we were somehow to pull it off and win this tournament, it would be something super special, that’s for sure”.
Korda shows love to Rafael Nadal
Korda, who is one of the most promising and talented players on the Tour, grew up idolizing Nadal.
“Ever since I started playing tennis, I kind of really looked up to him,” Korda said. “Now to be able to practice and play against him is a dream come true. Hopefully we can have many more battles against each other”.
Nadal, who is also set to play in Washington, spoke positively of Korda as he believes the American has what it takes to be successful. “Good physical look, good serve, good shots from the baseline. I think he’s a great guy, complete player,” Nadal said of Korda.
“He has a lot of things to do in the next years in our sport. I think I always believe since I saw him play that he going to have the chance to be one of the best players of the world … I think he has all the things that he needs to be a definitely top guy.
Of course, then things are not easy and you need to keep improving. But I definitely believe, if you ask me, he going to be a great one”.