A Czech-Monacan tennis player who won 14 Grand Slam titles, including four singles titles, and was ranked world No. 1 in singles and doubles. Known for her powerful playing style and dominant career in the 1980s.
Helena Sukov is widely regarded as one of the most successful tennis players in Czech history, known for her impressive doubles career that earned her 14 major titles, including nine in women's doubles and five in mixed doubles.
Sukov turned professional in 1981 and reached a career-high world ranking of fourth in singles and first in women's doubles. She was a four-time major singles runner-up, with notable runner-up finishes at the Australian Open in 1984 and 1989, and at the US Open in 1986 and 1993.
Sukov's most memorable Grand Slam singles win was against fellow Czech 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 eventually defeated her in the final.
In 1987, Sukov 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.
Sukov 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 also won three mixed doubles titles at Wimbledon, one at the US Open, and one at the French Open.
Sukov was a women's doubles silver medalist at the Olympic Games in 1988 and 1996, both times partnering Jana Novotn.
Sukov helped Czechoslovakia win the Fed Cup four times, in 1983, 1984, 1985, and 1988.
Sukov comes from a prominent Czech tennis family. Her mother, Vra Puejov Sukov, was a women's singles finalist at Wimbledon in 1962. Her father, Cyril Suk II, was president of the Czechoslovak Tennis Federation. Her brother, Cyril Suk III, is a former professional player on the men's tour who teamed with Sukov to win three Grand Slam mixed doubles titles, at the French Open in 1991 and at Wimbledon in 1996 and 1997.
Sukov was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2018, in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the sport.
"I'm very proud to be part of the International Tennis Hall of Fame... it's a great honor for me and my family." - Helena Sukov
Helena Sukov's impressive career and numerous accolades have cemented her place as one of the greatest tennis players in Czech history. She continues to inspire future generations of tennis players and remains an iconic figure in the world of tennis.
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