Czech Tennis Legend Bohdan Ulihrach Set for High-Stakes Rematch at UniCredit Czech Open
Bohdan Ulihrach, the former world No. 22 and a titan of Czech tennis, is stepping back onto the court for a clash that transcends a mere exhibition. As the UniCredit Czech Open in Prostějov prepares for its 33rd edition, Ulihrach is gearing up for a rematch of a final played 25 years ago against his longtime rival, Jiří Novák.
For Ulihrach, this isn’t just about nostalgia. While the atmosphere may be lighter, the competitive fire remains. “It’s not just for fun,” Ulihrach noted regarding the upcoming encounter. The veteran’s history with Novák is a storied one, with a career head-to-head record of 3-4. Ulihrach recalls the swings of their rivalry, from a crushing 6-0, 6-1 defeat in Moscow to victories in Prostějov and Long Island.
The two athletes once formed the backbone of the Czech Davis Cup team at the turn of the millennium. Despite their individual brilliance, their peak performances rarely aligned on the grandest stage. In 2001 in Sweden, Ulihrach dominated his singles matches, but Novák was unable to secure the decisive third point. The roles reversed in 2002 in France, where Novák excelled in singles while Ulihrach struggled through two grueling five-set losses.
Reflecting on that era, Ulihrach admitted the timing was often off. “I know it was said back then that we had what it took, but either one of us was sick, or lost form,” he recalled. He also touched upon a late 2002 doping controversy, noting that he eventually won an appeal after it was proven that a banned substance had entered his system via contaminated supplements.
Since retiring from the professional circuit in 2009, Ulihrach’s life has taken a quieter turn. He currently competes in a Prague veterans league and admits his connection to the modern game is somewhat old-school, stating that he follows tennis “mainly on teletext.”
His transition away from the pro tour was driven by family priorities. Although he was approached for coaching roles after 2009, he declined due to his daughter being seriously ill during her first year of life. He did spend approximately six months coaching the Plíšková sisters before they broke into the top 100, though the arrangement eventually faded.
Now, as he returns to the court in Prostějov, Ulihrach remains in peak physical condition, spending his summers cycling and winters skiing. Tournament director Petra Černošková has teased fans about the quality of the veteran play, promising that spectators “will be surprised by what the boys show on the court.”
While the veteran stars draw the crowds, the 33rd chapter of the Czech Open also looks toward the future, with Kopřiva cited as a primary hope for the tournament. For Ulihrach—a man whose “scalp collection” includes legends like Pete Sampras, Boris Becker, Kafelnikov, Kuerten, Rios, and Rafter—the goal for May 13, 2026, is simple: “We’ll try to survive and not get injured.”
