Jan Kodeš

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Jan Kodeš (born March 1, 1946, in Prague, Czechoslovakia) is a right-handed Czech former tennis player who won three Grand Slam events in the early-1970s.

Born in Prague, Czechoslovakia (now Czech Republic), Kodeš' greatest success was on the clay courts of the French Open. He won his first title there in 1970, beating Zeljko Franulovic 6-2, 6-4, 6-0. He followed that the next year by beating Ilie Năstase 8-6, 6-2, 2-6, 7-5, before he made the successful transition to grass by winning Wimbledon in 1973. He beat home favourite Roger Taylor in the semi-final in a five-set match 6-1, 6-8, 3-6, 6-3, 7-5. The final against Alex Metreveli was more straightforward, winning in straight sets 6-1, 9-8, 6-3.

Kodeš could never repeat the success of Wimbledon and the French Open elsewhere. Indeed, he never appeared at the Australian Open. At the US Open, he was runner-up twice in 1971 and 1973.

Kodeš reached his highest tour ranking of World No. 5 in September 1973. During his career, he won a total of 8 top-level singles titles and 17 doubles titles.

He was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1990.

Grand Slam finals

Wins (3)

Year	Championship	Opponent in Final	Score in Final
1970	French Open(1)	Zeljko Franulovic	6-2, 6-4, 6-0
1971	French Open (2)	Ilie Năstase	8-6, 6-2, 2-6, 7-5
1973	Wimbledon	Alex Metreveli	6-1, 9-8, 6-3

Runner-ups (2)

Year	Championship	Opponent in Final	Score in Final
1971	U.S. Open(1)	Stan Smith	3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 7-6
1973	U.S. Open (2)	John Newcombe	6-4, 1-6, 4-6, 6-2, 6-2