Czechs love their tennis

Press, 25 July 1986, Page 26

Czechs love their tennis

The Federation Tennis Cup — the women’s equivalent of the Davis Cup — opened in Czechoslovakia on Monday amid growing amazement at the way in which young Czechoslovaks have come to dominate the game.

Only two weeks ago, three Czechoslovaks reached the singles finals in Wimbledon, the cream of the tennis championships — Ivan Lendl, Martina Navratilova, now. a United States citizen, and Hana Mandlikova. Younger Czechoslovaks continue to enter the major international tournaments, pushing aside the Americans and Swedes who once dominated the game.

But how has a small Communist country with a population of 15 million managed to produce so many excellent tennis players, especially since the Communist-ruled countries used to be extremely reluctant about promoting “individualist” sports?

Part of the answer lies in the Czech obsession with the game. "It’s a great national passion of ours,” a young Czechoslovak tennis player said.

She recalled how the great star, Jaroslav Drobny, had put Czechoslovakia on the tennis map back in the early 1950 s by winning at Wimbledon. Then in the late 19605, Jan Kodes took Europe by storm. That gave Czechoslovak children a real interest in the game. They had found a new hero as well as a

chance to . win liard currency, glamour . and foreign travel, a much sought after goal.

But. there is another reason. The authorities have worked hard to promote the sport by building tennis courts and clubs. The country now boasts well over 4000 courts and over 700 officially registered clubs. Some are for children between the ages of seven and eight

. By the time young players reach the age of 10, they can enter several of the 180 or so tournaments which separate the very talented from the average.

From then it is special treatment all the way at the 17 special sports complexes, six of which are reserved for "exceptional talent” Here the young players spend at least six hours a day on the tennis courts. In return they receive good food, can attend special schools to fit in with their tennis programmes and are kitted out with the best West German sports equipment

The life is not easy. But they are spurred on by the prospects of not only representing their country but also by travelling abroad, and getting a taste of the good life. Ivan Lendl is such an example. Today he owns a clutch of Porsches, several apartments, including one in Florida, and has the freedom to travel. Indeed, he spends most of his time living abroad but still remains Czech — and a hero.