Helena Suková
Country (sports) | Czech Republic |
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Residence | Monte Carlo, Monaco |
Born |
Prague, Czechoslovakia (now Czech Republic) | 23 February 1965
Height | 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) |
Turned pro | 1983 |
Retired | 1998 |
Plays | Right-handed (one handed-backhand) |
Prize money | US$ 6,391,245 |
Singles | |
Career record | 614–307 |
Career titles | 10 WTA |
Highest ranking | No. 4 (18 March 1985) |
Grand Slam Singles results | |
Australian Open | F (1984, 1989) |
French Open | SF (1986) |
Wimbledon | QF (1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1993) |
US Open | F (1986, 1993) |
Doubles | |
Career record | 752–220 |
Career titles | 69 WTA |
Highest ranking | No. 1 (5 February 1990) |
Grand Slam Doubles results | |
Australian Open | W (1990, 1992) |
French Open | W (1990) |
Wimbledon | W (1987, 1989, 1990, 1996) |
US Open | W (1985, 1993) |
Other doubles tournaments | |
Tour Finals | W (1992) |
Olympic Games | Silver Medal (1988, 1996) |
Mixed doubles | |
Career titles | 5 |
Grand Slam Mixed Doubles results | |
Australian Open | F (1994, 1998) |
French Open | W (1991) |
Wimbledon | W (1994, 1996, 1997) |
US Open | W (1993) |
Team competitions | |
Fed Cup | W (1983, 1984, 1985, 1988) |
Hopman Cup | W (1989 with Miloslav Mecir) |
Last updated on: 18 September 2009. |
Olympic medal record | ||
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Women's tennis | ||
1988 Seoul | Doubles | |
1996 Atlanta | Doubles |
Helena Suková (Czech pronunciation: [ˈɦɛlɛna ˈsukovaː]) (born 23 February 1965, in Prague, Czechoslovakia) is a former professional tennis player from the Czech Republic. During her career, she won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles, 9 of them in women's doubles and 5 of them in mixed doubles. She also was a four-time Grand Slam singles runner-up and won 10 singles titles and 69 doubles titles.
Personal life
Suková comes from a prominent Czech tennis family. Her mother, Věra Pužejová Suková, was a women's singles finalist at Wimbledon in 1962. Her father, Cyril Suk II, was president of the Czechoslovakian Tennis Federation.
Her brother, Cyril Suk III, is a former professional player on the men's tour who teamed with Suková to win three Grand Slam mixed doubles titles, at the French Open in 1991 and at Wimbledon in 1996 and 1997.
Career
Suková turned professional in 1981. Her career-high world rankings were fourth in singles and first in women's doubles.
Suková was a singles runner-up at the Australian Open twice (in 1984 and 1989) and at the US Open twice (in 1986 and 1993). Suková's most memorable Grand Slam singles win was against Martina Navratilova in a semifinal of the 1984 Australian Open, where she ended Navratilova's 74-match winning streak and her chance at winning a calendar year Grand Slam. Chris Evert defeated her in the final.
In 1987, she became the fourth player to defeat Navratilova and Evert in the same tournament at Eastbourne and she also stopped Navratilova's 69 grass-win streak.
Suková was very successful as a doubles player. She had a career Grand Slam in women's doubles, winning four titles at Wimbledon, two at the US Open, one at the Australian Open, and one at the French Open.
She won three mixed doubles titles at Wimbledon, one at the US Open, and one at the French Open. She also was a women's doubles silver medalist at the Olympic Games in 1988 and 1996 (both times partnering Jana Novotná).
Suková helped Czechoslovakia win the Fed Cup four times, in 1983, 1984, 1985, and 1988. She also teamed with Miloslav Mečíř to win the inaugural Hopman Cup for Czechoslovakia in 1989.
Over the course of her career, Suková won 10 singles titles and 69 doubles titles.
Despite retiring from the professional tour in 1998, she was given a wild card into the 2006 Wimbledon mixed doubles tournament with her brother Cyril Suk. They lost their first round match.
Post-retirement activity
In 1999, Suková helped re-establish the International Lawn Tennis Club of the Czech Republic and became its president.
From January 2001 until June 2008, she was a co-opted member of the executive committee of the Council of the International Clubs. From February 2001 until November 2008, she served on the presidium of the Czech Olympians' Club. In June 2007, Suková was appointed by The Czech Olympic Committee to the presidium of the Czech Fair Play Club. She is also a co-founder of the Kids and Junior Tennis Advancement Organization in the Czech Republic.
Helena Sukova is also a member of the ‘Champions for Peace’ club, a group of 54 famous elite athletes committed to serving peace in the world through sport, created by Peace and Sport, a Monaco-based international organization.[1]
Helena Sukova got her University doctorate degree in sports psychology and since February 2011 has served as a Vice President of the Association of Sport Psychologists in the Czech Republic, and serves on the working group of the Task Force on Sport Psychology of the European Federation of Psychologists' Associations. She works as a psychologist on a regular basis with her clientele, who range from non-sporting circles to former or current professional athletes.
Major finals
Grand Slam finals
Singles: 4 (0 titles, 4 runners-up)
Outcome | Year | Championship | Surface | Opponent | Score |
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Runner-up | 1984 | Australian Open | Grass | Chris Evert | 6–7(4–7), 6–1, 6–3 |
Runner-up | 1986 | US Open | Hard | Martina Navratilova | 6–3, 6–2 |
Runner-up | 1989 | Australian Open | Hard | Steffi Graf | 6–4, 6–4 |
Runner-up | 1993 | US Open | Hard | Steffi Graf | 6–3, 6–3 |
Women's doubles: 14 (9 titles, 5 runners-up)
Outcome | Year | Championship | Surface | Partner | Opponents | Score |
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Runner-up | 1984 | Australian Open | Grass | Claudia Kohde-Kilsch | Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver | 6–3, 6–4 |
Runner-up | 1985 | French Open | Clay | Claudia Kohde-Kilsch | Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver | 4–6, 6–2, 6–2 |
Winner | 1985 | US Open | Hard | Claudia Kohde-Kilsch | Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver | 6–7(5–7), 6–2, 6–3 |
Runner-up | 1985 | Australian Open | Grass | Claudia Kohde-Kilsch | Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver | 6–3, 6–4 |
Winner | 1987 | Wimbledon | Grass | Claudia Kohde-Kilsch | Betsy Nagelsen Elizabeth Smylie | 7–5, 7–5 |
Runner-up | 1988 | French Open | Clay | Claudia Kohde-Kilsch | Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver | 6–2, 7–5 |
Winner | 1989 | Wimbledon | Grass | Jana Novotná | Larisa Savchenko Natasha Zvereva | 6–1, 6–2 |
Winner | 1990 | Australian Open | Hard | Jana Novotná | Patty Fendick Mary Joe Fernández | 7–6(7–5), 7–6(8–6) |
Winner | 1990 | French Open | Clay | Jana Novotná | Larisa Neiland Natasha Zvereva | 6–4, 7–5 |
Winner | 1990 | Wimbledon | Grass | Jana Novotná | Kathy Jordan Elizabeth Smylie | 6–3, 6–4 |
Runner-up | 1990 | US Open | Hard | Jana Novotná | Gigi Fernández Martina Navratilova | 6–2, 6–4 |
Winner | 1992 | Australian Open | Hard | Arantxa Sánchez Vicario | Mary Joe Fernandez Zina Garrison | 6–4, 7–6(7–3) |
Winner | 1993 | US Open | Hard | Arantxa Sánchez Vicario | Amanda Coetzer Inés Gorrochategui | 6–4, 6–2 |
Winner | 1996 | Wimbledon | Grass | Martina Hingis | Meredith McGrath Larisa Neiland | 5–7, 7–5, 6–1 |
Mixed doubles: 8 (5 titles, 3 runners-up)
Outcome | Year | Championship | Surface | Partner | Opponents | Score |
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Winner | 1991 | French Open | Clay | Cyril Suk | Caroline Vis Paul Haarhuis | 3–6, 6–4, 6–1 |
Runner-up | 1992 | US Open | Hard | Tom Nijssen | Nicole Provis Mark Woodforde | 4–6, 6–3, 6–3 |
Winner | 1993 | US Open | Hard | Todd Woodbridge | Martina Navratilova Mark Woodforde | 6–3, 7–6(8–6) |
Runner-up | 1994 | Australian Open | Hard | Todd Woodbridge | Larisa Neiland Andrei Olhovskiy | 7–5, 6–7(0–7), 6–2 |
Winner | 1994 | Wimbledon | Grass | Todd Woodbridge | Lori McNeil T. J. Middleton | 3–6, 7–5, 6–3 |
Winner | 1996 | Wimbledon | Grass | Cyril Suk | Larisa Neiland Mark Woodforde | 1–6, 6–3, 6–2 |
Winner | 1997 | Wimbledon | Grass | Cyril Suk | Larisa Neiland Andrei Olhovskiy | 4–6, 6–3, 6–4 |
Runner-up | 1998 | Australian Open | Hard | Cyril Suk | Venus Williams Justin Gimelstob | 6–2, 6–1 |
Olympics
Women's doubles: 2 medals (2 silver medals)
Outcome | Year | Location | Surface | Partner | Opponents | Score |
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Silver | 1988 | Seoul | Hard | Jana Novotná | Zina Garrison Pam Shriver | 4–6, 6–2, 10–8 |
Silver | 1996 | Atlanta | Hard | Jana Novotná | Gigi Fernández Mary Joe Fernández | 7–6(8–6), 6–4 |
Year-End Championships finals
Singles: 1 (0 titles, 1 runner–up)
Outcome | Year | Location | Surface | Opponent | Score |
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Runner-up | 1985 | New York City | Carpet | Martina Navratilova | 6–3, 7–5, 6–4 |
Doubles: 5 (1 title, 4 runners-up)
Outcome | Year | Location | Surface | Partner | Opponents | Score |
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Runner-up | 1985 | New York City | Carpet | Claudia Kohde-Kilsch | Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver | 6–7(4–7), 6–4, 7–6(7–5) |
Runner-up | 1986 (Mar.) | New York City | Carpet | Claudia Kohde-Kilsch | Hana Mandlíková Wendy Turnbull | 6–4, 6–7(4–7), 6–3 |
Runner-up | 1986 (Nov.) | New York City | Carpet | Claudia Kohde-Kilsch | Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver | 7–6(7–1), 6–3 |
Runner-up | 1987 | New York City | Carpet | Claudia Kohde-Kilsch | Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver | 6–1, 6–1 |
Winner | 1992 | New York City | Carpet | Arantxa Sánchez Vicario | Jana Novotná Larisa Neiland | 7–6(7–4), 6–1 |
WTA Tour Finals
Singles: 31 (10–21)
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Outcome | No. | Date | Tournament | Surface | Opponent | Score |
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Winner | 1. | 11 January 1982 | Newport News | Carpet | Patricia Medrado | 6–2, 6–7, 6–0 |
Runner-up | 1. | 17 March 1982 | Austin | Carpet | Claudia Kohde-Kilsch | 6–7(0–7), 6–0, 3–6 |
Runner-up | 2. | 2 August 1982 | Indianapolis | Clay | Virginia Ruzici | 2–6, 0–6 |
Runner-up | 3. | 26 March 1984 | Boston | Carpet | Hana Mandlíková | 5–7, 0–6 |
Winner | 2. | 12 November 1984 | Brisbane | Grass | Elizabeth Smylie | 6–4, 6–4 |
Runner-up | 4. | 26 November 1984 | Australian Open | Grass | Chris Evert | 7–6(7–4), 1–6, 3–6 |
Runner-up | 5. | 18 March 1985 | Virginia Slims Championships | Carpet | Martina Navratilova | 3–6, 5–7, 4–6 |
Runner-up | 6. | 17 June 1985 | Eastbourne | Grass | Martina Navratilova | 4–6, 3–6 |
Runner-up | 7. | 3 March 1986 | Princeton | Carpet | Martina Navratilova | 6–3, 0–6, 6–7(5–7) |
Runner-up | 8. | 16 June 1986 | Eastbourne | Grass | Martina Navratilova | 6–3, 3–6, 4–6 |
Winner | 3. | 4 August 1986 | Montreal | Hard | Pam Shriver | 6–2, 7–5 |
Runner-up | 9. | 25 August 1986 | US Open | Hard | Martina Navratilova | 3–6, 2–6 |
Winner | 4. | 29 September 1986 | Hilversum | Carpet | Catherine Tanvier | 6–2, 7–5 |
Runner-up | 10. | 6 October 1986 | Zurich | Carpet | Steffi Graf | 6–4, 2–6, 4–6 |
Runner-up | 11. | 16 February 1987 | Boca Raton | Hard | Steffi Graf | 2–6, 3–6 |
Winner | 5. | 29 March 1987 | Piscataway | Carpet | Lori McNeil | 6–0, 6–3 |
Winner | 6. | 15 June 1987 | Eastbourne | Grass | Martina Navratilova | 7–6(7–5), 6–3 |
Runner-up | 12. | 4 January 1988 | Sydney | Grass | Pam Shriver | 2–6, 3–6 |
Runner-up | 13. | 25 April 1988 | Tokyo | Carpet | Pam Shriver | 5–7, 1–6 |
Runner-up | 14. | 9 May 1988 | Berlin | Clay | Steffi Graf | 3–6, 2–6 |
Winner | 7. | 8 January 1989 | Brisbane | Hard | Brenda Schultz | 7–6(8–6), 7–6(8–6) |
Runner-up | 15. | 16 January 1989 | Australian Open | Hard | Steffi Graf | 4–6, 4–6 |
Runner-up | 16. | 26 February 1990 | Indian Wells | Hard | Martina Navratilova | 2–6, 7–5, 1–6 |
Runner-up | 17. | 11 June 1990 | Birmingham | Grass | Zina Garrison | 4–6, 1–6 |
Runner-up | 18. | 22 October 1990 | Brighton | Carpet | Steffi Graf | 5–7, 3–6 |
Winner | 8. | 31 December 1990 | Brisbane | Hard | Akiko Kijimuta | 6–4, 6–3 |
Winner | 9. | 3 February 1992 | Osaka | Carpet | Laura Gildemeister | 6–2, 4–6, 6–1 |
Winner | 10. | 9 November 1992 | Indianapolis | Hard (i) | Linda Wild | 6–4, 6–3 |
Runner-up | 19. | 30 August 1993 | US Open | Hard | Steffi Graf | 3–6, 3–6 |
Runner-up | 20. | 17 October 1994 | Brighton | Carpet | Jana Novotná | 7–6(7–4), 3–6, 4–6 |
Runner-up | 21. | 17 June 1996 | 's-Hertogenbosch | Grass | Anke Huber | 4–6, 6–7(2–7) |
Doubles 128 (69–59)
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Grand Slam performance timeline
Singles
Tournament | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | W–L | |||||
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Grand Slam tournaments | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Australian Open | 3R | 1R | 3R | F | QF | NH | 4R | QF | F | SF | 3R | 3R | A | 3R | 2R | 3R | 1R | 1R | 38–16 | |||||
French Open | A | 2R | 4R | 1R | 2R | SF | 4R | QF | 2R | A | 2R | A | A | 3R | 1R | 1R | 2R | A | 21–13 | |||||
Wimbledon | A | 1R | 1R | 4R | QF | QF | QF | QF | 4R | 4R | 1R | 3R | QF | 4R | 2R | 2R | 4R | 1R | 39–17 | |||||
US Open | A | 1R | 3R | QF | QF | F | SF | 4R | QF | 4R | 3R | 4R | F | A | 2R | 3R | 1R | A | 45–15 | |||||
Year End Ranking | 74 | 25 | 17 | 7 | 9 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 14 | 17 | 12 | 17 | 22 | 29 | 27 | 80 | NR |
Doubles
Tournament | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | SR | W–L | |||||
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Grand Slam tournaments | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Australian Open | 2R | A | F | F | NH | SF | A | SF | W | 3R | W | A | 3R | QF | 1R | SF | 1R | 2 / 13 | 39–11 | |||||
French Open | 3R | 1R | 3R | F | SF | SF | F | SF | W | SF | A | A | 1R | 1R | QF | QF | SF | 1 / 15 | 46–14 | |||||
Wimbledon | 2R | 3R | 1R | SF | 2R | W | A | W | W | QF | SF | QF | 2R | QF | W | SF | QF | 4 / 16 | 53–12 | |||||
US Open | 3R | A | 1R | W | QF | QF | 3R | 3R | F | 3R | SF | W | A | SF | SF | 3R | A | 2 / 14 | 45–12 | |||||
Win–Loss | 6–4 | 2–2 | 6–4 | 19–3 | 8–3 | 16–3 | 7–2 | 16–3 | 23–1 | 11–4 | 14–2 | 9–1 | 3–3 | 10–4 | 13–3 | 13–4 | 7–3 | 9 / 58 | 183–49 | |||||
Year-End Championships | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Tour Championships | A | A | A | F | F | F | SF | SF | QF | SF | W | SF | A | QF | QF | SF | A | 1 / 12 | 14–1 | |||||
Career statistics | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year End Ranking | N/A | N/A | 8 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 23 | 9 | 6 | 10 | 42 |
Mixed doubles
Tournament | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999– 2005 | 2006 | W–L | ||||
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Grand Slam tournaments | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Australian Open | NH | NH | NH | NH | NH | A | A | A | A | 1R | A | A | F | SF | QF | 2R | F | A | A | 14–6 | ||||
French Open | A | A | A | QF | A | 1R | A | 3R | A | W | A | A | SF | 2R | 2R | SF | 3R | A | A | 16–8 | ||||
Wimbledon | 1R | A | A | QF | A | A | A | A | 1R | 3R | 3R | 1R | W | 2R | W | W | 1R | A | 1R | 25–9 | ||||
US Open | 2R | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | 2R | F | W | A | A | QF | 2R | A | A | A | 14–5 |
References
External links
- Helena Suková Official Website
- Helena Suková at the Women's Tennis Association
- Helena Suková at the International Tennis Federation
- Helena Suková at the Fed Cup
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