Radek Stepanek: Farewell to a Tennis Legend

[scoop]

By Scoop Malinowski

Radek Stepanek turned pro in 1996 and struggled for five years as a doubles journeyman until November 2001 when he approached Petr Korda asking how he could improve his game. Korda responded, “I will help you but you will listen to everything and I guarantee to you that you will be ranked in the top 70.”

Stepanek listened to Korda’s advice and inspiration. He began 2002 ranked 547 and finished at 63. That was just the beginning. Stepanek would achieve a career-high singles ranking as world No. 8 (in July 2006) and best doubles ranking of world No. 4.

Stepanek’s biggest achievements are reaching two Masters 1000 event finals and the quarterfinals of Wimbledon in 2006, and winning the deciding match two years in a row for Czech Republic’s Davis Cup winning team in 2012 and again in 2013.

In doubles, Stepanek also shined, winning his first Grand Slam title at the 2012 Australian Open, along with partner Leander Paes, defeating the Bryan Brothers in the final. Paes and Step, a dynamic duo together, also won the men’s doubles title at the 2013 US Open, defeating Bruno Soares and Alexander Peya in the final. Paes, a legendary doubles champion, said last year his all time favorite partner was Stepanek.

I have many vivid memories of covering Stepanek. We did a Biofile in the late 90s at the US Open locker room. He was wearing camouflage pants and said his mom was a librarian. He almost beat Novak Djokovic at the US Open in 2007, forcing the Serbian to a fifth set tiebreaker on Armstrong Stadium. Step beat world no. 1 Gustavo Kuerten at the Australian Open. Always a character on the court, he would express himself in many ways, busting dance moves, or telling Paes “I love you” to his face on the changeover chair after breaking the Bryan Brothers at Miami Open in 2012. Paes responded by grabbing and kissing Step’s forehead.

Last year on December 1, a Sunday morning I saw Stepanek practicing at IMG Academy with Christian Harrison and Pat Harrison feeding balls to each. Step and Harrison would hit alternating inside out and inside in forehands, about ten in a row. Why this stands out was that Stepanek was grunting and playing with 100% intensity, and it was only Dec. 1, still a month away from the start of the 2017 season. This illustrated what a hard worker and how serious Stepanek was.

There’s more. I tried to do a quick interview with Step after the on court workout but he said he couldn’t because he was on the way to indoor fitness training.

Talk about hard work. Not many, if any, players worked harder than Stepanek who at a few weeks short of 38 is still in top physical shape. He said today that his back issue is still a problem and it’s time to stop playing. The spirit is still there to play but the body won’t cooperate.

Still, it was a glorious career achieved by Stepanek. Five singles titles, two major doubles titles, two Davis Cups and over $11 million in prize money. Not bad for a struggling doubles specialist who was smart enough to request and listen to the wisdom of Petr Korda.

 

[scoop]

Scoop Malinowski writes:

Hartt; And it really shows that any struggling player could turn their career(s) around with a spark of some productive advice. Korda constructing Stepanek is one of the most impressive coaching jobs I can think of.

 

[El Dude]

With Tommy Haas retired and now Stepanek, Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo is the lone man born in 1978 left in the top 500 (he's #423).

 

[Moxie]

Everyone will miss Radek, I think. What a joyful player. (OK, I won't miss The Worm, though.)

 

[scoop]

Scoop Malinowski writes:

John Paul Fruttero is 36 and he's playing doubles in Champaign right now. Gotta take your hat off to some of these guys like Hidalgo and Fruttero who just won't quit. They still believe.

 

[El Dude]

Younes El Aynaoui played a Future this year and last (he even won his first match in Bahrain, gaining a single point!). He's 46 - born the same year as Sampras.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

I really have lot of respect for Radek. He was quite successful both on and off the court!

He was very determined, made a lot of successful comebacks after injury breaks.

About an year or two ago, he said that after retiring, he will be coaching Nick Kyrgios.

Any current word on that.

 

[scoop]

Scoop Malinowski writes:

No word on that but wouldn't be surprised if they connect next year though Nick is working with Grosjean now. The funny thing about Nick and Step is they played at Roland Garros four years ago and Nick won in three sets and in the final set Step intentionally bumped into Nick on a changeover to try to intimidate him. I was told this by Nick's brother Cristos three years ago at US Open. But Kyrgios and Step are friends now.

 

[scoop]

Scoop Malinowski writes:

79 is pretty low for Ivo, he's usually around 25-40. So pressure will be on Ivo to get some wins early next year to boost that ranking. Nobody wants to play Challengers after being on the ATP Tour for over a decade though Paes is playing his third US Challenger in three weeks - Charlottesville, Knoxville and now Champaign IL. Paes is obviously gearing up his ranking for another season in 2018. Paes talked in January this year of being at the end like he was just about to quit but it seemed like a smokescreen to soften up opponents. Paes had a pretty good year for his age he's still competitive though his serve his average and his volleys are not as reliable as before.

 

[Moxie]

Younes El Aynaoui played a Future this year and last (he even won his first match in Bahrain, gaining a single point!). He's 46 - born the same year as Sampras.

No way!

 

[Front242]

Very disappointing news to hear Stepanek has retired as he had recently (prior to his back surgery) said he hoped to play into his fourties. Still had the game the give the top guys fits (gave Murray hell at RG in his first round match recently) and was one of the last all court players on tour and had great touch at the net and an unorthodox game. Seems the back surgery was the deal breaker. With his reputation for the ladies, he's likely to do damage to his back on or off court anyway lol.

 

[Front242]

Btw, though he said he may well call it quits after Kitzbuehel, Haas has not yet officially retired. Most likely he has but nothing official as yet to confirm that. Must admit I had hoped maybe he'd rest up and get over his foot surgery a bit better, train like a mofo in the off season and give himself a proper send off but most likely he's gone sadly.

 

[britbox]

Younes El Aynaoui played a Future this year and last (he even won his first match in Bahrain, gaining a single point!). He's 46 - born the same year as Sampras.

Jeez, can't believe he's still giving it ago. Best memory of that guy was the classic v Roddick at the AO.

 

[scoop]

Scoop Malinowski writes:

Something is not functioning properly with Team Raonic. He seems to be blaming the injuries and his coaches for his failures. If it was just the injuries wouldn't he stick with his team?

 

[Ricardo]

Very disappointing news to hear Stepanek has retired as he had recently (prior to his back surgery) said he hoped to play into his fourties. Still had the game the give the top guys fits (gave Murray hell at RG in his first round match recently) and was one of the last all court players on tour and had great touch at the net and an unorthodox game. Seems the back surgery was the deal breaker. With his reputation for the ladies, he's likely to do damage to his back on or off court anyway lol.

considering those ladies are WTA women who are pretty physical, i am not surprised he's done his back for good.

 

[Front242]

Jeez, can't believe he's still giving it ago. Best memory of that guy was the classic v Roddick at the AO.

Classic match alright and likewise best memory of him.

 

[El Dude]

Jeez, can't believe he's still giving it ago. Best memory of that guy was the classic v Roddick at the AO.

I wouldn't say he's really giving it a go. He didn't play any tournaments from 2011 to 2015, and I think before that barely any for a few years. Maybe just having a bit of fun, like when Thomas Muster played Dominic Thiem a few years ago.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Once Radek defeated Fed on Clay. After losing the match, (the ever humble) Fed criticized Radek's play and said this is not how one should play on clay.

Radek was using lot of unorthodox play in that match and did not indulge in typical baseline attrition game that most people play on clay.
Having said that it looked odd that Fed was criticizing his opponent's play after losing the match. Bad timing.

 

[scoop]

Scoop Malinowski writes:

Raonic beat Federer the first time they played when Ljubicic was with Federer which was a surprising win for Raonic because you would have thought Ljubicic would have clued Fed in on Raonic's weak points. Thought that was a major win for Raonic, one that would get him over the hump and lift him to the next level but it did not.

 

[scoop]

Scoop Malinowski writes:

Goffin may be costing Belgium the Davis Cup. You know for sure Hewitt will instruct Kyrgios and Thompson to grind Goffin down, Goffin should pull out of WTF now.