Tennis news
into your inbox
Thousands have already subscribed
yCzech, Australian Open, Federer, Next Gen: Everything you always wanted to know about Jiri Lehecka (but never had time to find out) – updated after Doha semi-finals
Jiri Lehecka is a rising star on the ATP Tour. Here’s everything you need to know about the Czech
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 has been ranked as high as No 37.
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 highest ranking is No 37, which he reached in February, 2023.
What is Jiri Lehecka’s best performance at ATP Tour level?
Jiri Lehecka reached his first ATP Tour level semi-final in Rotterdam in February 2022. Having qualified for the main draw, he knocked out former Wimbledon semi-finalist Denis Shapovalov in round one, Botic van de Zandschulp and Lorenzo Musetti before pushing Stefanos Tsitsipas to a deciding set. He then reached another semi-final in the Qatar Open in 2023, missing out on five match points before losing to Andy Murray.
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.”
