Dubai Balloon takes record-breaking Sebastian Korda on ‘remarkable experience’ overlooking city’s iconic landmarks

Korda’s participation in this year’s Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships marks the first time a son has followed his father in competing at the Middle East’s premier ATP event

Iconic star Petr Korda, Sebastian’s father, made his third and final Dubai appearance in 1999

Dubai, UAE – February 26, 2024: Ahead of his history-making appearance at this week’s Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, world No. 33 Sebastian Korda has elevated his chances in the ATP 500 event by familiarising himself with the city during a sight-seeing experience at Dubai Balloon at Atlantis, The Palm.

Accompanied by his girlfriend, Ivana Nedved—the daughter of Czech and Juventus football legend Pavel Nedved—Korda soared up 200 metres in the helium balloon to enjoy amazing views of major Dubai landmarks, including The Palm, Dubai Marina and JBR, Dubai Harbour, and Burj Al Arab.

Recounting the experience, the 23-year-old American said: “Having the opportunity to see Dubai from up high was a remarkable experience. The Palm itself stood out the most. It’s one of the coolest pieces of land and architecture I have ever seen. It’s my first time in the city, and the view from Dubai Balloon was breathtaking. The city is unbelievably beautiful, and this adventure has been amazing on my first visit.”

Exactly a quarter of a century after his father, Petr, contested the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships for a third and final time, Korda junoir marked his Dubai debut with an emphatic 6-0, 6-2 victory over Russian Pavel Kotov on Court One.

Korda reached his career-high ATP singles ranking of World No23 last year. The American’s major career accomplishment to date was clinching his first ATP title at the 2021 Emilia-Romagna Open while not dropping a set in the process. He also won the junior title at the 2018 Australian Open, two decades after his father Petr Korda won the Australian Open men’s title.

The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships is owned and organised by Dubai Duty Free and held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.