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ITFWorld spring 2021

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O LG A DA N I LOV I C , whose father, Predrag, is a former Serbian basketball player turned executive: "I remember my first Junior Grand Slam in Australia when I lost to [Anastasia] Potapova so easily and I was told I have a request for media. I was like, 'what, somebody wants to talk to me?' At that point, it is good because I learned how to talk to the media. I think I had as much attention for a first-round match in juniors as a player can get, but for me it was normal. I never had a problem talking to the media or talking with a journalist. I like it, I love to talk and be open. I am never like, 'I don't want to talk'. It is nice, especially as a junior, because you don't get that at every tournament and it's exciting. But I have made myself clear that I am a tennis player and not just someone's daughter. Of course, I am going to get asked questions about my dad, I am completely aware of it and have nothing against that. But I now have an image of being a tennis player and people come and ask me about tennis also because of my tennis career and not because of something else." ITF World Spring 2021 29 WHAT'S IN A name? of fully paid up members of tennis's high society. Prior to reaching the final at Delray Beach in January, Korda spent a couple of weeks in the company of Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf, who have 30 Grand Slam singles titles between them, in Las Vegas. It was a highly profitable experience, hitting with both but predominantly spending time on court with Agassi. "He's been a big help to me," added Korda. "It was a really cool experience to just pick his brain, go to dinner with him and just learn. He sees tennis in a completely different way than most people would ever even think about seeing it." Despite a host of silverware and a flurry of accolades from a trophy-laden career, by his own admission the crowning glory of Agassi's playing days was the gold medal he won at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. No doubt Agassi's latest protégé is aware of such sentiments, although given his mother's Olympic backstory, Korda does not have far to look for inspiration, especially with the latest instalment of the Games only months away. "Since I was a kid, my whole family would sit down and watch the Olympics and I have always dreamed about playing," said Korda. "It would be a great honour to have the chance to play. "I would absolutely love to have the opportunity to represent my country. My sisters have a good chance at making the team as well so it would be a super cool moment for my family." With Sebastian, Jessica and Nelly all potentially boarding a plane to Tokyo in July, there is the prospect for 2021 to be a real family affair. Keeping up with the Kordas might prove a worthwhile exercise in the months and years ahead. n R O M A N A N D R E S B U R R U C H AG A' S father, Jorge, scored the winning goal for Argentina in the 1986 World Cup Final: "A lot of people have said to me, 'why don't you play soccer?', but I always say that I prefer to play tennis. I used to play soccer, but my father said to me that I should choose what I want – he likes tennis too. There's not really any additional pressure growing up with a famous surname. Maybe at first, but it is normal for me now. A lot of people mention my surname but, for me, it is normal. My dad tells me a lot of things. He was a great sportsman and he knows how to deal with certain moments – good and bad – and emotions. He knows everything and he just tells me those things." L E O B O R G , son of Bjorn, former world No. 1, 11-time Grand Slam singles champion and first male to win five Wimbledon titles in the Open Era: "Before, people were possibly just comparing me to my dad. I didn't care about it because that's normal to do, but now I think they are recognising me more and not necessarily seeing my dad." E L I Z A B E T H M A N D L I K , whose mother is four-time Grand Slam singles champion Hana Mandlikova: "I find being the daughter of a successful former player quite easy. I don't look at it like that. I just look at her as my mum and listen to her. There are trophies lying around the house in Prague but that doesn't bother me." R E A D M O R E

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