LONDON: A year ago, Jiri Lehecka found himself sidelined during the grass season due to a back injury that kept him away from the courts for three-and-a-half months between April and August 2024. This was particularly challenging for the 23-year-old, as he was in form prior to his injury, having reached the semi-finals of the Madrid Masters.
Since his return, Lehecka has shown his resilience by winning a title at the Brisbane International in January and reaching the finals of two more events, including an impressive run at the grass-court tournament in Queen’s, where he achieved notable victories against players like Alex de Minaur and Jack Draper.
Motivated to make his mark at Wimbledon following his absence from last year’s tournament, Lehecka commenced his campaign by overcoming Bolivia’s Hugo Dellien with a scoreline of 4-6, 6-2, 6-2, 7-6(0). Speaking after the match, he expressed his heightened motivation, acknowledging the emotional toll of missing the grass season, which he described as unique and special due to the effort involved in maintaining high-quality grass courts.
Seeded 23rd in the tournament, Lehecka has been a formidable opponent, boasting seven victories over top 20 players this year, with a standout win against Carlos Alcaraz at the Doha Open. Reflecting on the joy of competing at Wimbledon, he shared how he relished the atmosphere and was focused on his own performance despite being uncertain about how he would play on grass after two years away.
Lehecka is among three seeded Czech players in the men’s draw, alongside Tomas Machac (21) and Jakub Mensik (15). This marks a resurgence for Czech tennis, as there were no seeded Czech competitors in any men’s Wimbledon tournaments from 2018 to 2024. Lehecka believes this newfound strength stems from a friendly rivalry among the Czech players, which he finds motivating.
Drawing attention to the importance of mutual encouragement, he stated that while there’s interest in who ranks highest among them, his focus is on his own improvement rather than the national standings. Lehecka explained, “I would rather be number three and in the top ten than be number one, being ranked 80 in the world.”
As he prepares to face Italy’s Mattia Bellucci in the second round at Wimbledon, Lehecka stands as the second-highest-ranked player in his section of the draw, a position that could lead him to face Frances Tiafoe in the future rounds.
This story of perseverance and camaraderie among Czech players highlights a positive trend in tennis, showcasing how support among peers can foster growth and achievement in the sport. Lehecka’s journey is an inspiring reminder that setbacks can lead to comebacks, and the combined strength of a team can elevate individual performances.