Australia’s gripping Ashes cricket series against England last year left fans on the edge of their seats. Dramatic run chases, five-wicket hauls and fast-paced centuries were in constant supply in England, where Australia retained the Ashes over the the course of five dramatic test matches.
Following closely was American Sebasitan Korda, who caught the ‘Ashes bug’ when he was in England competing at Wimbledon. Having never watched cricket before, Korda quickly became hooked.
“We were watching cricket when we were at Wimbledon last year. We watched the test matches for the Ashes between England and Australia. I have a few British guys in my team, with Jez Green being one, and then there is a Kiwi as well, so it was all quite funny," Korda told ATPTour.com. "They were locked in and were watching and they explained the rules to me.
“Ever since then I have really enjoyed watching. It was just a lot of fun, especially last year during the test matches, real even. There was one guy, [Ben] Stokes and he was going hard on every single hit. Clubbing it. I think he was one of the last English guys on to bat. It was just a lot of fun to watch and I became a fan.”
After leaving England in July, Korda arrived in Australia at the end of the December to play at ATP 250 events in Brisbane and Adelaide before the Australian Open. The 23-year-old wasted little time in reigniting his interest in cricket, attending an Adelaide Strikers match at the Adelaide Oval, just a five-minute walk from the War Memorial Drive where the hard-court Adelaide event was held.
“I've still never played but in Adelaide, they had the batting cages, if that’s what they call it, by the warmup area. I stood behind them and just watched how they threw and batted,” Korda said. “I watched one game in Adelaide in the Big Bash. The [Adelaide] Strikers beat the [Perth] Scorchers. Perth was number two in the league, so I think it was a good win. The atmosphere was great.”
One similarity between tennis and cricket is that both sports involve striking a small ball. On top of this, there is the mental factor, with tennis players battling by themselves on court. Batsmen are at the crease with just one teammate in support.
The mental aspect of cricket interests Korda, who also enjoys playing ice hockey, golf and watching Formula 1.
“I imagine it's pretty strategic when they are batting. I think there's a lot that goes into it. You are kind of out there by yourself, similar to tennis with the pressure. You have one other guy with you at times, but you have to figure it out,” Korda said. “But it seems like a lot of fun to play, like tennis, and it's definitely a sport I enjoy watching.”
Away from cricket, Korda will hope to find his best level on court at the Australian Open. The No. 29 player in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings advanced to the quarter-finals in Melbourne last year before he missed three months of the season with a wrist injury. During his recovery time, he worked with fitness coach Jez Green in an effort to build up his body, gaining seven kilograms in muscle.
The American arrives at this year’s Australian Open physically strong, having had a productive pre-season.
“A lot of hard work has gone in with my fitness trainer Jez Green. Just trying to get the body healthy, trying to get it right,” Korda said. “I think as long as you're healthy, happy and in a good mental state, I think everything else just follows. It's a long year. You have got to be consistent and enjoy it.
“I had pre-season in Prague and then Florida. Daniel Galan, Jerry Shang and Yibing Wu were with me. There are pretty decent guys in the IMG Academy. You know all those sessions are going to be great and the better guys you play with, the better you're going to get. It is a great group of guys together.”
Korda, who is 2-2 on the new season, will play Czech qualifier Vit Kopriva in the first round at the Australian Open. He is excited to be back at the major, where he makes his third appearance.
“This is probably one of the most comfortable tournaments that you can go to,” Korda said. “I think they take care of us so well and the fans are amazing as well. Just to play here, it's a real treat and a big pleasure and I am really looking forward to getting started here again.”
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