Jan Kodes: A Journey to Glory from Behind the Iron Curtain

Description

Documenting the successful journey from political turmoil to international tennis fame, this compelling memoir chronicles the highs and lows in the life of Wimbledon champion Jan Kodes. Detailing the early days of darkness and family persecution in cold war Czechoslovakia, the complexities of becoming a professional tennis player under a totalitarian regime is explored. The thrilling victories at Wimbledon and the French Open are highlighted, along with two final-round runs at the U.S. Open. Tennis fans and history buffs will delight at this copiously illustrated biography that outlines the fascinating path from Communist disapproval to an eventual induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

Jan Kodes is a member of the International Tennis Hall of Fame and one of the greatest players from the Czech Republic. He won the men's singles title at Wimbledon in 1973 and at the French Open in 1970 and 1971. He played in the Davis Cup for Czechoslovakia for 15 years beginning in 1966 and is among the top 20 players in matches played and won in the history of the competition. He has served as his country's Davis Cup captain, president of the Czech Tennis Association, and tournament director of ATP Czech Open tournament. Peter Kolar is a Czech writer, who has written for Basket, Sports Plus, and Xantypa. He is the author of several Czech books profiling the NBA, the Winter Olympics, and three-time world decathlon champion, Tomas Dvorak.