Nelly and Jessica Korda, two of the most talented sisters in professional golf, share a bond that transcends the fairways. As LPGA Tour stars, they’ve not only chased individual glory but also navigated the highs and lows of a family legacy steeped in athletic excellence—and shadowed by controversy. Their relationship, forged in the crucible of a sports-obsessed household, has been a source of unwavering support. Yet, beneath the surface of their success lies the complex dynamic with their father, Petr Korda, whose own storied career brought both inspiration and unintended struggles for his daughters.
#### Sisters in Arms: A Lifelong Partnership
Born just three years apart—Jessica in February 1993 and Nelly in July 1998—the Korda sisters grew up in Bradenton, Florida, immersed in a world of rackets, clubs, and unyielding competition. Their parents, former professional tennis players Petr Korda and Regina Rajchrtová, created an environment where sports weren’t optional; they were the family’s lifeblood. Jessica, the elder, often played the role of protector and playmate, introducing Nelly to golf during their childhood summers. “We were built-in best buddies,” Jessica once reflected, describing how they shared everything from practice rounds to late-night talks about their dreams.
This closeness has defined their professional lives. Both turned pro in their teens—Jessica in 2010 at age 17, Nelly in 2016 at 18—and they’ve frequently teed off together in tournaments, offering mutual encouragement amid the tour’s grueling schedule. Their pinnacle moment came at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where Nelly claimed gold in women’s golf and Jessica bronze in the team event, making them the first sisters to medal in the same Summer Games. “Each other,” Jessica said when asked what gets her through tough times, underscoring their role as each other’s emotional anchor. Off the course, their sibling rivalry is playful rather than cutthroat; Nelly has called Jessica her “comfort blanket,” a steady presence through slumps and triumphs alike.
Their brother, Sebastian Korda, a rising ATP Tour tennis player, completes the trio, turning the Kordas into what many call the world’s most athletic family. The siblings’ shared experiences—endless training sessions, global travel, and the weight of parental expectations—have only strengthened their ties. In interviews, both sisters emphasize how their relationship provides a rare normalcy in the spotlight, allowing them to laugh off misses and celebrate birdies with genuine joy.
The Shadow of Legacy: Petr Korda’s Influence
At the heart of the Korda story is Petr Korda, the Czech tennis icon whose 1998 Australian Open victory cemented his place in history. A left-handed wizard with a one-handed backhand, Petr peaked at World No. 2 and inspired his children to pursue elite sports. After retiring, he traded his racket for golf clubs, introducing Jessica and Nelly to the game around age 10. “Dad’s passion for golf rubbed off on us,” Nelly has said, crediting him for instilling discipline and a love for the sport. Petr’s hands-on coaching—analyzing swings, plotting strategies—has been a constant, from junior tournaments to LPGA majors.
Regina, a former Top 30 player, balanced the intensity with nurturing support, ensuring the kids felt loved beyond their scorecards. Together, the parents emphasized family values, gathering for meals and vacations that reinforced their unbreakable unit. As Nelly noted in a U.S. Open press conference, “Hanging around our family and just being there for each other is what matters most.”
Trials and Tribulations: The Doping Scandal’s Lasting Echo
Yet, the Korda family’s path hasn’t been without profound challenges, particularly tied to Petr’s career. In July 1998—just months after his Australian Open triumph and the week Nelly was born—Petr tested positive for nandrolone, an anabolic steroid, at Wimbledon. The International Tennis Federation imposed a 12-month ban starting in September 1999, forcing his immediate retirement and stripping him of ranking points and prize money. The scandal thrust the family into a media storm, with headlines questioning the legitimacy of his Grand Slam win and painting a cloud over his achievements.
For Jessica, then only five, and a newborn Nelly, the immediate impact was subtle but the ripple effects enduring. Growing up, the sisters faced whispers and scrutiny, especially as they entered professional sports. Forum discussions and media speculation often linked their successes—or Sebastian’s—to “the sins of the father,” with some fans dredging up the doping case during matches. In one heated 2022 U.S. Open moment, Sebastian reportedly snapped at an opponent, “Don’t say anything about my dad,” highlighting the raw nerve the topic still strikes.
The emotional toll on the family was significant. Petr, once a global star, retreated from the spotlight, focusing on coaching his kids while grappling with the stigma. Interviews reveal a father determined to shield his children from the pain, but the pressure of redemption fell partly on them. Nelly has spoken indirectly about the “black mark” assigned to their surname, describing it as motivation to prove their worth through clean, hard-earned victories. Jessica, more reserved on the subject, has alluded to the family’s resilience, crediting their parents for teaching them to rise above adversity.
These struggles tested the sisters’ bond most fiercely during their early pro years. Jessica’s breakthrough wins in 2012 and 2018 came amid questions about family favoritism in golf circles, while Nelly’s rapid ascent to World No. 1 in 2021 invited comparisons to Petr’s controversial peak. Yet, through it all, the sisters leaned on each other, using the scandal not as a divider but as a unifier. “We’ve had our share of tough moments,” Nelly shared in a 2020 podcast, “but talking it out with Jess makes everything better.”
Overcoming and Thriving: A Legacy Reclaimed
Today, at 32 and 27 respectively, Jessica and Nelly stand as testaments to perseverance. Jessica, a four-time LPGA winner, took a break after giving birth to her son in 2023 but returned stronger, eyeing a comeback in late 2024. Nelly, the 2024 LPGA Player of the Year with 15 career victories including two majors, continues to shatter records. Their father, now 55, remains their biggest cheerleader, often caddying in pro-ams and celebrating milestones like the family’s “Australian Open sweep” across generations.
The Kordas’ story is one of profound sisterly love amid paternal trials—a reminder that family legacies are built not just on triumphs, but on navigating the storms together. As Petr told PGA Tour interviewers in late 2024, reflecting on raising athletes: “It’s about trust and not messing it up.” For Nelly and Jessica, that trust has turned potential fractures into unbreakable strength, proving that the deepest bonds are those tempered by fire.
In the end, the Korda sisters aren’t defined by their father’s past but by how they’ve woven it into their own narrative of grace, grit, and unbreakable solidarity.
