Nelly Korda could’ve been swinging a tennis racket instead of a golf club—her parents, Petr and Regina, were professional tennis players, after all. But as she recently shared on Golf Channel’s “5 Clubs,”
“I wasn’t pushed into tennis; golf was my choice.” Growing up in a family of elite athletes, including her golfing sister Jessica and hockey-playing brother Sebastian, competition was in her blood. Her father, Petr, a 1998 Australian Open champion, taught her discipline, often drilling the importance of mental toughness. “He’d say, ‘It’s not just about hitting the ball—it’s about outthinking your opponent,’” Korda recalled. Meanwhile, her mother, Regina, a former top-30 tennis player, instilled grit, showing Nelly how to bounce back from setbacks, a skill evident in her recovery from that U.S. Women’s Open meltdown.
This athletic dynasty shaped Korda into the World No. 1, but it’s her unique path to golf that’s truly inspiring. Unlike her siblings, who followed their parents’ tennis footsteps, Nelly chose golf at age 14, drawn to its individual challenge. “I loved the pressure of it being just me out there,” she said. Her family’s support, including Jessica’s mentorship on the LPGA Tour, gave her a head start, but her work ethic sealed the deal. Want to know how family dynamics fuel success in sports? Dive into our full story on Korda’s roots for more insights. What sport would you choose if you were in her shoes—tennis, golf, or something else? Tell us in the comments below!
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