The biggest Australian Open sensation. The 21-year-old favorite buster amazes the world

– What would I have said if you had told me before the tournament that I would reach the quarter-finals here? I don’t know, but I wouldn’t believe you for sure – said Jiri Lehecka right after Sunday’s match with Felix Auger-Aliassim (4:6, 6:3, 7:6, 7:6) in the Australian Open.

The 21-year-old Czech, who is only the 71st player in the world ranking, is the biggest sensation of the men’s competition in Melbourne. Seeded No. 6. Auger-Aliassime wasn’t the only favorite to eliminate Lehecka. Previously, the Czech also defeated seeded Borna Coric (6-3, 6-3, 6-3) and Cameron Norri (6-7, 6-3, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4) and lesser-known American Christopher Eubanks (6:4, 6:4, 3:6, 6:3).

That’s what separates Lehecka from Ben Shelton, the other revelation of this year’s tournament. Although the American is 335 days younger and is ranked 18 places lower in the world ranking, he did not eliminate any seeded opponent at the Australian Open. Moreover, only Zhizhen Zhang (96th ATP) and JJ Wolf (67th ATP) were rivals in the top 100 of the rankings.

The quarter-final is, of course, the greatest success in Lehecki’s short career, who became the first Czech at this stage of the Grand Slam tournament since 2018. Five years ago, exactly the same result was achieved by his idol and role model – Tomas Berdych.

– For a long time I felt that I was capable of a lot. But I always lost because of the details. I’ve been working hard on the details in the last few months and now I’m seeing the results. I am finally able to focus on the right things that allow me to win in the most difficult moments – said Lehecka after the meeting with Auger-Aliassim.

“Kind, polite, but got carried away by emotions”

This is only the second year in which the Czech starts in Grand Slam tournaments. The previous one could not be considered successful, because in all tournaments he was eliminated in the first round. He was eliminated from the Australian Open by Grigor Dimitrow, from Roland Garros by David Goffin, from Wimledon by Filip Krajinović, and from the US Open by Cristian Garin.

– Already in New York I felt that I could take a step forward. But then I was worse again at key moments and in the last set I fell apart. To win a Grand Slam for the first time is a big thing for me. Although I didn’t have the hardest draw, eliminating a seeded player is always a big success. In the end, I played exactly how I wanted. Everything went according to plan on the court – said Lehecka after the first round match with Coric.

What made Lehecka finally break through? As with most young players, it was mostly about mental issues. The 21-year-old admitted that thanks to training with sports psychologist – Jan Muehlfeit – he became a more mature and composed player.

“We often had to throw him off the court or the gym. From the sports side, he was ready for success, but his head failed him at key moments. Thanks to the cooperation with Muehlfeit, he developed – said the captain of the Czech Davis Cup team – Jaroslav Navratil.

He added: – Jiri is a very nice, polite and modest boy, but he was too often carried away by his emotions. Especially after making mistakes. We couldn’t explain to him that even Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal make them. Now he finally stopped dwelling on mistakes, became much calmer.

Lehecka: – Until recently, I was very grumpy on the court. I was easily annoyed, cursed at myself, couldn’t handle the mounting pressure. Now it’s completely different. Working with Jan changed me. I’m not afraid of anything anymore, in critical moments I play what I planned before. And most of all, I accept that something can go wrong.

Breakthrough success in Rotterdam

It is not, however, that Lehecka’s success this year came out of nowhere. The breakthrough in his career came in February last year, when he advanced to the semi-finals of the ATP 500 tournament in Rotterdam. Although the Czech made it through qualifying, he later eliminated higher-seeded Denis Shapovalov (6-4, 6-4), Botic van de Zandschulp (1-6, 6-4, 6-4) and Lorenzo Musetti (6-3 , 1:6, 7:5).

It was an achievement that laid the foundation for today’s success. Thanks to him, Lehecka was promoted to the top 100 of the ATP ranking for the first time in his career, which ensured him participation in the main ladder of Grand Slam tournaments. – This is probably the most beautiful moment of my career, which opened the door to new challenges for me. Finally, I showed up in a serious tournament, defeated great opponents and felt like a full member of the tour – recalled Lehecka.

And he added: – I also earned my first serious money. For participation in Grand Slam tournaments alone, I could count on amounts from 40 to 60 thousand. euros or dollars. This is money that allows you to participate in the season not only with the coach, but also with a slightly more developed staff. I was also thinking about a new watch, but being a frugal person I figured I didn’t need one. I preferred to invest in the people around me.

It was largely thanks to his success in Rotterdam that Lehecka secured a spot in the season-ending Next Generation ATP Finals tournament, a competition for the top eight players of the year under 21 years old. In the past, this tournament was won by Carlos Alcaraz (currently the leader of the world ranking) Stefanos Tsitsipas (4th ATP) and Jannik Sinner (16th ATP).

In November, in Milan, Lehecka reached the final, where he lost to Brandon Nakashima (3:4, 3:4, 2:4). – This is a great motivation for me, because if you look at the players who won this tournament or were in its final, most of them are doing great in the competition with seniors. I played a good tournament and I had no choice but to move forward.

– Although no ATP ranking points were awarded for this tournament, Jiri took it very seriously. In Milan, he defeated two young players who were already successful in senior tournaments. It built him up a lot and gave him confidence ahead of the start of this season.

He added: “It was a turning point for him. I don’t think without it there would be no victory over Alexander Zverev in the United Cup and then a place in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open. Jiri finally believed that when he is in very good shape, he can compete with the best in the world.

The school that raised the stars

Due to the passion of Leheck’s parents, he had no choice but to become an athlete. His mother was a star athlete and his father was a famous swimmer. As a child, Lehecka skied and ran, swam, and held a tennis racket in his hand for the first time at the age of three. This one was given to him by his grandmother, who played professionally and had previously taught his older sister how to play.

However, tennis was not Lehecka’s main idea for a long time. The maturing boy could not decide on one discipline, and what’s more, his mother pushed him towards science and wanted his son to finish his studies. However, this did not happen, and Lehecka recently admitted that he is the first family member in several generations who does not have a diploma.

The Czech finally decided to play tennis and at the age of 15 he went to the academy in Prostějov. The same one they grew up in. Berdych and Petr Kvitov. He won 13 tournaments, played in the 2010 Wimbledon final and six other Grand Slam semi-finals. Kvitova is among others two-time winner of Wimbledon (2011, 2014), finalist of the Australian Open (2019) and former runner-up in the WTA ranking, who won as many as 29 titles in her career.

“When I was still playing tennis at home, it was just for fun. I loved doing sports that gave me a lot of satisfaction. It was just a hobby and I had no intention of becoming a pro. Our super-successful stars made me feel like I wanted it too. I wanted my name to be recognized all over the world. It was the moment when I decided to go to Prostějów – said Lehecka.

He added: – The first moments were really difficult, because as a 15-year-old I decided to leave home and for the first time I had to deal with many things on my own. But I had no moment of doubt. All thanks to the friendships I made there and which I keep to this day.

– From the first moment I knew that Jiri is not only a talented player, but also an intelligent and nice boy. He had a big heart and a passion for hard work. It distinguished him from the rest – recalled Lehecki coach Michal Navratil. – These are beautiful words, but it wasn’t like I got up with a smile on my face. No. When the alarm clock rang at 6.30 after a hard day, I dreamed of a more relaxed schedule. But I never cheated. I knew I had to work to be successful. That’s what my parents instilled in me – countered the player.

It was at the academy in Prościejów that Berdych became more than just an inspiration for Lehecka. His coach, who previously worked with the Czech star, noticed many similarities between the two players. That is why today the 21-year-old resembles his older idol on the court.

– I’ve always seen a part of Tomas in me. I hope to play like him one day. I loved his uncompromising style. He played fast, could help himself with serve at key moments. I play similarly, I also have a similar forehand – described Lehecka.

The youngest rookie in history

The teenager’s talent developed so quickly that in February 2019 he became the youngest ever Czech debutant in the Davis Cup. Lehecka got an unexpected appointment from Jaroslav Navratil – the father of his coach – because the main player, Adam Pavlasek, was injured.

It was not a dream debut, because the Czechs lost in Ostrava with the Netherlands 1: 3, and Lehecka lost the match with Robin Haas (4: 6, 6: 2, 3: 6). Despite this, the less than 18-year-old tennis player received only praise at the time. – I have been the captain of this team for 13 years and I have seen many debuts, including Berdych’s. And I have to say that Lehecki’s debut was the best I’ve ever seen – said Navratil senior.

He added: – Jiri was the youngest player, so everything was new and difficult for him, and yet he managed without any complaints. I was very surprised that he wasn’t nervous at all. It was a performance that not only ensured him another call-up, but also showed the scale of his talent.

Lehecka confirmed this a few months later, when he won the Wimledon junior doubles tournament together with Jonas Forejtek. – It was the first great success in my career. We were both very happy, but nothing could beat what happened right after the tournament – recalled Lehecka.

And he continued: – Although we were just climbing in the ATP ranking and did not have any singles success, we received a spectacular trophy and an invitation to a gala dinner. It felt unreal. We were given tuxedos, and two large, impressive Range Rovers came to pick us up at the hotel. And on site? Red carpet, dozens of photojournalists and journalists. All this was beyond me, because I usually eat dinner in tracksuits. But it wasn’t there, because we met royalty, Wimbledon bosses and singles champions Simona Halep and Djokovic. It was like a dream.

“History has come full circle, hasn’t it?”

Six years later, Lehecka can play Djokovic in the final of the Australian Open. For this to happen, the Serb will have to win in the semi-finals with Andrei Rublev, and the Czech with Tsitsipas. The same Tsitsipas, who beat him a year ago in the semi-finals of the groundbreaking tournament in Rotterdam.

“History has come full circle, hasn’t it?” he asked Lecheck with a smile before the match. “This is a great opportunity for me to rematch.” I’m sure Stefanos remembers that meeting because I stood up to him a lot. It turned out to be better, but I won the first set. I’m sure he remembers my strengths and knows I can put pressure on him. I know how to play against him.”

– Jiri no longer has to be afraid of anyone. I don’t know if he will beat Tsitsipas, but I don’t judge his chances anymore. To be honest, I didn’t believe it would go all the way to the quarter-finals here. Now, however, he can play without pressure, show his best tennis, which can take him to the next round. So far, he has played bravely, served brilliantly, and most importantly, he has held up mentally in key moments. And keep it up, said Jaroslav Navratil.

His son, Michal: – I’ve always dreamed of training the best tennis player in the world. The Australian Open could be Jiri’s first major step in that direction.