Tennis is moving beyond the Olympics, and the excitement continues to build as star players shift their focus to the next challenges of the season. After showcasing their heroics on the iconic clay courts of Roland Garros, they’re ready to take on new venues where their exceptional talents will be put to the test. Fans and experts alike are quick to transition, eagerly anticipating the upcoming matches and tournaments. And one person who’s particularly energized is none other than Coco Gauff’s coach, Brad Gilbert.

Gilbert took to his X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday to highlight an interesting fact about the final showdown at the Washington Open. American star player Sebastian Korda and his Italian counterpart Flavio Cobolli are currently gearing up for the finals. And Gilbert is leaving no stone unturned to hype up his compatriot ahead of the match.

Taking to X, the former pro wrote, “Meantime in Washington DC @mubadalacitidc Seb Korda going for @atptour history, trying to be 1st father son combo to win same title  🏆.” For the unversed, Sebastian has admitted to receiving huge motivation from his father, Petr Korda in his tennis career. 

Petr Korda, a former star player, had participated in the Washington Open in 1992 and won the match against Sweden’s Henrik Holm in the finals in straight sets 6-4, 6-4. Now, if Sebastian clinches the title on Sunday, he will join his father to become the first father-son duo in the history of the ATP Tour to bag the same title. And the match is equally crucial for Korda.

The player ranked 22nd in the world has come incredibly close to achieving victory, but unfortunately, has consistently fallen short of glory, particularly in recent tournaments. Playing in the Rosmalen Grass Court Championships, Korda reached the tournament’s final before conceding defeat to Alex de Minaur in the finals. Furthermore, he lost to his compatriot Tommy Paul in the semifinals of the Queen’s Club Championship. And as he has won 3 out of four matches in the ongoing tournament in straight sets, his confidence must be at its peak, thereby giving him a crucial chance. Korda, meanwhile, is excited to face the Italian challenge.

Speaking after defeating Frances Tiafoe in the semi-finals, Korda revealed the various challenges he will face in the finals. “We’ve never played each other on a hard court, but we played on clay in Rome, and it’s very tricky to play against him there,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to tomorrow. Hopefully, a good crowd and some support for me, and we’ll see what happens.” But, as Gilbert expects him to mimic his father’s record, Korda finds himself as one of the most inferior sports personalities at home.

Why did Korda undermine himself as the ‘worst athlete’ in his family?

Korda’s affiliation with the sports arena is not new. His father is the Australian Open winner and the French Open runner-up in both singles and doubles. He also reached a career-high ranking of World No. 2 and is one of the most respected players in American tennis. Besides, his mother is a former Czechoslovakian who achieved a career-high ranking of 26. She also represented her country at the 1988 Summer Olympics. The family’s athletic gene is evident in Sebastian Korda’s sisters as well.

Jessica Korda and Nelly Korda are both professional golf players and have garnered remarkable success in the sport. Jessica has won six LPGA events in her career and was ranked 6. Nelly won the Women’s PGA Championship twice in 2021 and 2024. Besides, she also reached the World No. 1 spot in the sport. And the legacy of his family members makes Korda believe he is the inferior athlete within the family.

In an interview after reaching the Australian Open quarterfinal in 2023, Korda said, “I don’t know what I’m going to be ranked. But my mom’s career high was 26, my dad was two, my sister Nelly was No. 1, my older sister Jessica was six, so I’m definitely the worst athlete in the family so far!” But time has evolved a lot since then.

Korda surpassed his mother’s ranking and is on the verge of repeating his father’s legacy at the Washington Open. While only time will tell if he can actually win the title, what remains certain is an intense showdown.