Jan Kodes of the Czech Republic, the 1973 Wimbledon champion and 1970-71 French Open champion, is the author of the new book JAN KODES: A JOURNEY TO GLORY FROM BEHIND THE IRON CURTAIN, a one-of-a-kind coffee table book featuring incredible, never-been-published historic photos. The book, featuring many anecdotes and stories about Czech tennis including Martina Navratilova, Ivan Lendl and others, is available for $35.96 on amazon.com here: http://www.amazon.com/Jan-Kodes-Journey-Behind-Curtain/dp/0942257685/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1280583452&sr=8-1
It is very exciting for tennis that Ivan Lendl, one of the greatest players in the history of the sport, is back on the tennis court after an absence of over 15 years! Next Monday, he will renew his famous rivalry with John McEnroe at the famed Madison Square Garden in New York City. John and Ivan will play prior to Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras also renewing their famous rivalry in a great night of tennis called the BNP Paribas Showdown.
New York is of course the site of many of great matches between Lendl and McEnroe at the US Open and the year-end “Masters” tournament. Ivan, of course, won the year-end tournament at Madison Square Garden five times. His matches against McEnroe always had a great drama and provided the ultimate atmosphere of competition, tightness and fighting spirit. Their rivalry was always set to prove who was the “king” of the game. I know this attitude has not changed and both players really do not want to lose this match. Trust me!
I am very pleased for Ivan that he is back on the court playing after years of suffering from back problems. I spent three years with him as his Czech Davis Cup teammate (I played my last Davis Cup match alongside him in 1980). Later, I coached him for another four years as the Czech Davis Cup captain. Ivan powered Czech tennis and later reigned over the men’s game for most of the 1980s, ranking No. 1 for 270 calendar weeks and winning 94 singles titles, including eight major titles. Ivan’s hard work, self-discipline, excellent physical condition, exceptional concentration and desire to become world’s number one propelled him through the difficult circumstances of the Czechoslovak communist regime that stifled so many other talents.
Everyone who enjoys tennis should be there at Madison Square Garden – or watch on television – and welcome back this great rivalry between Lendl and McEnroe. It will be a great show!