Born: 1965 (Czech Republic)
Biography:
Helena Suková (Czech pronunciation: [lna sukova]) was born on February 23, 1965, and is a Czech former professional tennis player. She comes from a prominent Czech tennis family, with both her mother and father having notable tennis careers. Her mother, Věra Pužejová Suková, was a women’s singles finalist at Wimbledon in 1962, and her father, Cyril Suk II, served as the president of the Czechoslovak Tennis Federation. Helena’s brother, Cyril Suk III, also had a successful career as a professional player on the men’s tour and even teamed up with Helena to win three Grand Slam mixed doubles titles.
Suková turned professional in 1981 and enjoyed a successful career that spanned over two decades. She achieved a career-high world ranking of fourth in singles and reached the top spot in women’s doubles rankings. Suková was known for her powerful serve and aggressive playing style, which made her a formidable opponent on both grass and hard courts.
In singles, Suková reached the final of the Australian Open twice, in 1984 and 1989, and the final of the US Open twice, in 1986 and 1993. One of her most memorable victories came in the semifinals of the 1984 Australian Open, where she ended Martina Navratilova’s 74-match winning streak and her chance at winning a calendar year Grand Slam. However, Suková fell short in the final, losing to Chris Evert.
It was in doubles that Suková truly excelled. She won a total of 14 major doubles titles, including nine in women’s doubles and five in mixed doubles. She achieved 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. Suková also won three mixed doubles titles at Wimbledon, one at the US Open, and one at the French Open. Her success extended to the Olympic Games, where she won silver medals in women’s doubles in 1988 and 1996, partnering with Jana Novotná.
Suková’s contribution to Czechoslovakian tennis was significant. She played a key role in helping Czechoslovakia win the Fed Cup four times, in 1983, 1984, 1985, and 1988. Additionally, she and Miloslav Mečíř teamed up to win the inaugural Hopman Cup for Czechoslovakia in 1989. Suková’s achievements on the court made her a revered figure in Czechoslovakian tennis and an inspiration to aspiring tennis players in the country.
After retiring from the professional tour in 1998, Suková remained involved in the tennis world. In 1999, she played a crucial role in re-establishing the International Lawn Tennis Club of the Czech Republic and became its president. She also served as a co-opted member of the executive committee of the Council of the International Clubs from January 2001 until June 2008, further cementing her dedication to the sport.
Throughout her career, Helena Suková won a total of 10 singles titles and 69 doubles titles. Her impact on women’s tennis, both as a player and as a leader, is undeniable. She will always be remembered as one of the Czech Republic’s greatest tennis players and a true icon in women’s tennis history.
Awards:
– Four-time Fed Cup champion with Czechoslovakia (1983, 1984, 1985, 1988)
– Winner of the inaugural Hopman Cup with Czechoslovakia (1989)
– Silver medalist in women’s doubles at the Olympic Games (1988, 1996)