Biography of Jan Kodes

Jan Kodes (born March 1, 1946, in Prague, Czechoslovakia) was a right-handed Czech tennis player who won three Grand Slam events in the early-1970s. Born in Prague, Czechoslovakia (now Czech Republic), Jan’s greatest success was on the clay courts of the French Open. He won his first title there in 1970, beating Zeljko Franulovic 6-2, 6-4, 6-0.

He followed that the next year by beating Ilie Nastase 8-6, 6-2, 2-6, 7-5, before he made the successful transition to grass by winning Wimbledon in 1973. He beat home favourite Roger Taylor in the semi-final in a five-set match 6-1, 6-8, 3-6, 6-3, 7-5. The final against Alex Metreveli was more straight-forward, winning in straight sets 6-1, 9-8, 6-3.

Kodes could never repeat the success of Wimbledon and the French Open elsewhere. Indeed, he never appeared at the Australian Open. At the US Open, he was runner-up twice in 1971 and 1973.

During his career, Kodes won a total of 8 top-level singles titles and 17 doubles titles.

Kodes was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1990.

Contents

1 Grand Slam finals
1.1 Wins (3)
1.2 Runner-ups (2)

Grand Slam finals

Wins (3)

Year Championship Opponent in Final Score in Final
1970 French Open Zeljko Franulovic 6-2, 6-4, 6-0
1971 French Open Ilie Nastase 8-6, 6-2, 2-6, 7-5
1973 Wimbledon Alex Metreveli 6-1, 9-8, 6-3

Runner-ups (2)

Year Championship Opponent in Final Score in Final
1971 US Open Stan Smith 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 7-6
1973 US Open John Newcombe 6-4, 1-6, 4-6, 6-2, 6-2