Tomas Berdych: Legend of Czech men’s tennis

Tomas Berdych is undoubtedly a legend of Czech men’s tennis. Even though he retired from his active career a few years ago, he is still a role model for many young tennis players. And rightly so, as he managed to establish himself among the world’s top tennis players.

Early career

Tomas Berdych played his first professional match in 2002 at the age of seventeen. In his first season, he mainly toured Futures tournaments, including several Challengers played in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

A year later, he even dominated two Challenger events (in Great Britain and Hungary). A great success at that time was also qualifying for the main stage of the US Open Grand Slam, where he did not win the third qualifying round, but he advanced to the pavilion as a lucky loser. He even made it past the first round, knocking out Germany’s Behrend 3-1 in sets, but was stopped by Chela in the next stage. He finished the year at a nice 103rd place in the ATP rankings.

Participation in ATP tournaments

Berdych started the 2004 season well, advancing to the second round at the opening Grand Slam of the Australian Open. Here he fell out with the tournament’s number four Agassi. He then made his debut at the French Open and Wimbledon, where he dropped out in the first round. However, he saved his biggest success of the season for the US Open, where he made it to the eight finals.

It is also worth remembering the Olympic Games in Athens. There he shocked the world by sensationally knocking out Roger Federer. He was finally stopped in the quarter-finals by Dent.

Career highlights

In the following years, Berdych did not make any major success, but still climbed up the rankings. The Czech tennis player had a particularly successful season in 2010, first reaching the final of the Miami tournament and then reaching the semi-finals of the French Open.

He saved his peak for the famous Wimbledon. At the British Grand Slam, he reached the final, where he lost to Rafael Nadal in three sets, much to the sadness of Czech fans. However, he beat both Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer at the tournament, which is why this tournament ranks among the best achievements of his career.

Two years later, the US Open caught him off guard. As the tournament’s number six, he reached the semifinals, where he fell to Andy Murray. He showed very handsome tennis at this tournament, which is why Berdych was disappointed after the tournament that he didn’t at least equal his success at Wimbledon.

Career and team competition summary

Berdych’s best ranking in the ATP rankings is a continuous 5th place, which he achieved in May 2015. He has 13 singles titles from ATP tournaments, backed by two doubles titles.

As for team competitions, Tomas Berdych was an important part of the team that dominated the Davis Cup in 2012 and even defended it a year later. He was also able to enjoy the title in the Hopman Cup in 2012, which he won together with Petra Kvitova. Berdych was also a member of the winning team for the 2017 Laver Cup, although he did not jump into a single match himself.

Source: Livesport