Radek Stepanek might no longer be a top-100 player, but his love for the game is one the ranks amongst the best in the world.
At the age of 37, the Czech veteran is playing in his 52nd grand slam tournament this week (13th French Open). During his 20-year career, Stepanek has reached the quarter-finals at the 2006 Wimbledon championships, achieved a ranking best of eighth in the world and won five ATP titles. The achievements of Stepanek are what many players on the tour dream of and he could easily retire from the sport satisfied with his career. Nevertheless, his passion for tennis is as strong as ever.
“People ask me, ‘Why do you still want to play qualifying at your age after you have been at the top?’ The love for the game is there, no matter where I’m standing or what the number of my ranking is.” Stepanek told Sport 360.
“I was out for eight months (sciatic nerve problem) so I’m very pleased for every minute I can spend on the court. My situation 12 months ago wasn’t good. As long as I am healthy, I always say that, when the hardware is good, I have the software.”
The world No.128 is the grandfather of the men’s draw at Roland Garros. Coming through three qualifying rounds, defeating second seed Yoshihito Nishioka in the final round, he faces a tough first round meeting against Andy Murray. He trails the head-to-head 2-6 against the Brit, with his last win occurring at the 2014 Aegon Championships. It will be their second meeting on clay this year after the Czech lost in three sets during the second round of the Madrid Masters.
The upcoming match will be a tough experience for Stepanek, who himself has praised Murray’s form on the clay. Since 2015 the world No.2 has won two Masters titles on the surface (Madrid 2015 and Rome 2016).
“His improvement on clay in the last years was tremendous. I think Andy was missing patience in the years before. I think he now has everything settled down for him on clay.” Stepanek said about Murray.
“He feels the game right. His last results are proof of that. He will come to the tournament with a lot of confidence.”
If the Czech defies the odds and stuns Murray in the first round, he would become the oldest player to win a match in the tournament since Jimmy Connors (38) in 1991.
“The challenge is to be older than Jimmy Connors and play in a slam. He was 38? Oh, it’s not that far, it’s just around the corner.” The Czech joked.
If Stepanek wishes to break the record, he still has a few more years to go. Connors played his last grand slam match at the age of 40 at the 1992 US Open. Three more years of playing is a big ask, but as long as his love for the sport is still there, the Connors records is destined to be broken by the charismatic and inspirational Czech player.
