Veselý at the2021 Internationaux de Tennis de Vendée | |
| Country (sports) | |
|---|---|
| Residence | Březnice, Czech Republic[1] |
| Born | (1993-07-10)10 July 1993 (age 32) Příbram, Czech Republic |
| Height | 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) |
| Turned pro | 2009[2] |
| Plays | Left-handed (two-handed backhand) |
| Coach | Emanuel Rehola (2023–), Jaroslav Navrátil,Dušan Lojda (2021–2023)[3] |
| Prize money | US $6,105,681 |
| Singles | |
| Career record | 143–169 |
| Career titles | 2 |
| Highest ranking | No. 35 (27 April 2015) |
| Current ranking | No. 355 (21 April 2025) |
| Grand Slam singles results | |
| Australian Open | 2R (2018,2021) |
| French Open | 3R (2017) |
| Wimbledon | 4R (2016,2018) |
| US Open | 3R (2015,2023) |
| Doubles | |
| Career record | 39–66 |
| Career titles | 2 |
| Highest ranking | No. 94 (8 June 2015) |
| Grand Slam doubles results | |
| Australian Open | 2R (2016) |
| French Open | 3R (2017) |
| Wimbledon | 2R (2014) |
| US Open | 2R (2013,2014,2015) |
| Team competitions | |
| Davis Cup | W (2013) |
| Last updated on: 21 April 2025. | |
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Men'stennis | ||
| Representinga | ||
| Youth Olympic Games | ||
| 2010 Singapore | Doubles | |
Jiří Veselý (Czech pronunciation:[ˈjɪr̝iːˈvɛsɛliː]; born 10 July 1993) is a Czech professionaltennis player. He reached a career-high singles ranking of world No. 35 on 27 April 2015.
Veselý is perhaps best known for being one of the two players to have defeatedNovak Djokovic multiple times with no losses throughout his career (along withMarat Safin).
Veselý reached the No. 1 junior combined world ranking in January 2011, compiling a singles win–loss record of 125–45.[4]
Veselý made hisDavis Cup debut for Czech Republic in February 2013, and to date has nine singles titles on theITF Futures circuit to his name and threeChallengers.[5]
Veselý qualified into the2013 French Open for his first appearance into the main draw of a Grand Slam. Vesely was, at the time, the youngest player in the world's top 100 at 20 years and 3 months old. In 2014, Veselý reached the 3rd round of the2013 BNP Paribas Open where he lost toAndy Murray in three sets.
Veselý won his first Grand Slam match at the2014 French Open, then the following month reached the third round of a Major for the first time in his career at the2014 Wimbledon Championships as a wildcard. He beatGaël Monfils in five sets in the second round, before being defeated by fellow wildcardNick Kyrgios in four sets. He also won his first ATP doubles title at the2014 Kremlin Cup with countrymanFrantišek Čermák.
Veselý reached two singles finals at ATP World Tour, winning his first title at the2015 Heineken Open in Auckland, after defeatingAdrian Mannarino.
He reached the third round of a Major for the second time in his career at the2015 Us Open and first at this Major, with a victory overIvo Karlović.
Veselý represented the Czech Republic at the2016 Hopman Cup alongsideKarolína Plíšková. He recorded a singles win overLleyton Hewitt of Australia, however was defeated byAlexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine andJack Sock of the United States.
At theMonte Carlo, he stunned world No. 1Novak Djokovic in his opening round in three sets. It was the first time Djokovic had lost at a Masters tournament prior to the final since the 2014 Shanghai Masters, and his earliest exit from any tournament in three years. However, he lost toGaël Monfils in straights sets in the third round. Veselý made it to the third round of the2016 Istanbul Open – Singles before losing toGrigor Dimitrov. At theNice Open, he lost toLeonardo Mayer in the first round. Veselý made it to the second round of the2016 French Open by beatingRajeev Ram in the first round. He lost toNicolás Almagro.
Veselý started his grass court season at2016 Aegon Championships by losing toKevin Anderson in qualifying, but earned the lucky loser spot. He beatJérémy Chardy in the first round before falling toMilos Raonic in the second round. He next competed at the2016 Nottingham Open. He beatHoracio Zeballos, but lost to 8th seededGilles Müller in the second.
At the2016 Wimbledon Championships, Jiří pushed through 3 consecutive tie-broken sets, besting world No. 8 Dominic Thiem, to move through to the third round. It was his second top 10 win of his career after beating Novak Djokovic earlier in the season. He defeated the 31st seedJoão Sousa in the third round. Jiří lost to fellow countrymanTomáš Berdych in a hard-fought five set match.[6]
Veselý next competed at the2016 Davis Cup representing his country. He lost both of his matches to the French.
Veselý was seeded 8th at the2016 Croatia Open. In the first round, he won in straight sets, but was forced to retire in the second round againstCarlos Berlocq due to injury. He next competed at the2016 Western & Southern Open where he lost in the first round toMarcel Granollers. The2016 Winston-Salem Open proved dreadful for him as he was forced to retire again during his match in the third round toAndrey Kuznetsov. He was able to Compete at the2016 US Open. He beatSaketh Myneni in the first round and set up a rematch of Monte Carlo with world number oneNovak Djokovic. However, Veselý pulled out before the match was set to begin because of a left arm injury.[7]
His first tournament since the US Open was the2016 Shenzhen Open, where he was seeded 8th. He won his first two matches in straight sets, but lost to his idol and countrymanTomáš Berdych in three sets. He finished his season by competing at the2016 Japan Open. Jiří won his first round match againstKevin Anderson in three sets before losing toDavid Goffin in the second round.
Veselý won his second doubles title partneringRoman Jebavý at the2017 Istanbul Open.
Veselý started off 2020 by playing on the ATP Challenger tour, advancing to the quarterfinals in2020 Bangkok Challenger II, before losing to eventual championFederico Gaio in straight sets. He then entered the main draw in2020 Maharashtra Open. He opened his campaign by defeating wildcardArjun Kadhe, then beat 7th seedSalvatore Caruso in straight sets, before saving a match point in the final tiebreak to defeatIlya Ivashka in 3 tight sets. In the semifinals, he once again required 3 sets, saving 4 match points to defeatRičardas Berankis, to advance to his first tour-level final since April 2015. He defeatedEgor Gerasimov in 3 sets to win the title.[8]
Veselý started his 2022 season at theAdelaide International 1. He lost in the first round to sixth seedTommy Paul.[9] Getting past qualifying at theSydney Classic, he was defeated in the first round byBrandon Nakashima.[10] At theAustralian Open, he was eliminated from the tournament in the first round by American wildcardStefan Kozlov.[11]
Seeded fourth and defending champion from when theMaharashtra Open was last held in 2020, Veselý failed to defend his title; he lost in the quarterfinals to sixth seed and eventual finalist,Emil Ruusuvuori.[12] As a result, his ranking fell from 80 to 123; he exited the top 100 for the first time since the beginning of 2020. In February, as the top seed at theBengaluru Open, he retired after losing the first set to opponent, sixth seedEnzo Couacaud, due to fatigue caused by a bout of food poisoning.[13]
InDoha, he lost in the first round toArthur Rinderknech.[14] Ranked World No. 123 at the time, Veselý qualified for theDubai Championships by defeatingHady Habib andAlexei Popyrin. He reached the quarterfinals with victories over world No. 24Marin Čilić and eighth seed and world No. 15,Roberto Bautista Agut.[15][16] In the quarterfinals, he recorded his second career victory overNovak Djokovic, defeating the World No. 1 in straight sets to reach the semifinal, his first since 2020 in Pune.[17][18] This victory also allowedDaniil Medvedev to ascend to the World No. 1 ranking, marking the first time a male player outside theBig Four held the number 1 ranking sinceAndy Roddick in 2004.[19][20] He then defeated sixth seed and world No. 14,Denis Shapovalov, in three sets to reach his first ATP 500 final claiming his third top-20 win in the tournament.[21] He lost the final in straight sets to second seed and world No. 7,Andrey Rublev.[22] After the tournament, his ranking improved from 123 to 74.
In March, Veselý competed at theChallenger di Roseto degli Abruzzi II. As the top seed, he lost in the first round toNino Serdarušić.[23] Seeded fourth at theAndalucía Challenger, he reached the semifinals where he was defeated byJaume Munar.[24] At theGrand Prix Hassan II inMarrakesh, he retired in the third set during his first-round match againstMalek Jaziri.[25] InEstoril, he lost in the first round to qualifierHugo Dellien.[26] At theMutua Madrid Open, he fell in the first round of qualifying toDavid Goffin.[27] AtRoland Garros, he was beaten in the first round bySteve Johnson.
Veselý started his grass-court season at theNottingham Open. Seeded second, he lost in the first round to British tennis player,Ryan Peniston.[28] Seeded second at theIlkley Trophy, he made it to the quarterfinals where he was defeated by fifth seed and eventual finalist,Jack Sock.[29] AtWimbledon, he reached the third round where he lost to 30th seed and world No. 32, Tommy Paul.[30]
After Wimbledon, Veselý played at theHall of Fame Open. Seeded seventh, he withdrew from his second-round match against Steve Johnson.[31]
In August, Veselý competed at theOdlum Brown Vancouver Open. Seeded second, he lost in the second round toGilles Simon. Seeded second at theChampionnats Banque Nationale de Granby, he was defeated in the first round by American qualifierAidan Mayo.[32] At theUS Open, he lost in the first round to 20th seed and world No. 23,Dan Evans.[33]
Veselý entered the2023 Surbiton Trophy using protected ranking. He won his first ATP tour level match after his return at the2023 Wimbledon Championships defeating 22nd seedSebastian Korda also with protected ranking.[34] Again using his protected ranking, Veselý matched his best performance in theUS Open by reaching the third round. He defeated qualifierEnzo Couacaud and 20th seedFrancisco Cerúndolo, both in five sets but lost to qualifierBorna Gojo.[35]
Veselý's former coaches wereJaroslav Navrátil andDušan Lojda. In December 2015, Veselý began to work withTomáš Krupa, formerly the longtime coach ofTomáš Berdych.[36]
| W | F | SF | QF | #R | RR | Q# | P# | DNQ | A | Z# | PO | G | S | B | NMS | NTI | P | NH |
Current through the2024 Australian Open.
| Tournament | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | SR | W–L | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Slam tournaments | ||||||||||||||||
| Australian Open | Q1 | A | 1R | 1R | 1R | 1R | 2R | 1R | A | 2R | 1R | A | 1R | 0 / 9 | 2–9 | |
| French Open | A | 1R | 2R | 1R | 2R | 3R | 1R | 1R | 2R | 1R | 1R | 1R | A | 0 / 11 | 5–11 | |
| Wimbledon | A | Q2 | 3R | 2R | 4R | 2R | 4R | 3R | NH | 2R | 3R | 2R | Q2 | 0 / 9 | 16–9 | |
| US Open | A | 1R | 1R | 3R | 2R[a] | 1R | A | 1R | 1R | 1R | 1R | 3R | A | 0 / 10 | 5–9 | |
| Win–loss | 0–0 | 0–2 | 3–4 | 3–4 | 5–3 | 3–4 | 4–3 | 2–4 | 1–2 | 2–4 | 2–4 | 3–3 | 0–1 | 0 / 39 | 28–38 | |
| ATP Masters 1000 | ||||||||||||||||
| Indian Wells Open | A | A | 3R | 1R | 1R | 2R | 1R | A | NH | A | A | A | 0 / 5 | 3–5 | ||
| Miami Open | A | A | 2R | 1R | 1R | 3R | 2R | A | NH | 1R | A | A | 0 / 6 | 4–6 | ||
| Monte-Carlo Masters | A | A | A | 1R | 3R | 2R | A | A | NH | Q1 | A | A | 0 / 3 | 3–3 | ||
| Madrid Open | A | A | A | 1R | A | A | A | A | NH | A | Q1 | A | 0 / 1 | 0–1 | ||
| Italian Open | A | A | A | 2R | A | 2R | A | A | A | A | A | A | 0 / 2 | 2–2 | ||
| Canadian Open | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | NH | A | A | A | 0 / 0 | 0–0 | ||
| Cincinnati Open | A | A | A | 1R | 1R | 1R | A | A | A | A | A | A | 0 / 3 | 0–3 | ||
| Shanghai Masters | A | A | A | A | A | 1R | A | A | NH | A | A | 0 / 1 | 0–1 | |||
| Paris Masters | A | A | A | 1R | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | 0 / 1 | 0–1 | ||
| Win–loss | 0–0 | 0–0 | 3–2 | 1–7 | 2–4 | 5–6 | 1–2 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–1 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0 / 22 | 12–22 | ||
| Career statistics | ||||||||||||||||
| 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | Career | |||
| Tournaments | 0 | 5 | 17 | 29 | 21 | 24 | 17 | 11 | 7 | 15 | 12 | 4 | 1 | Career total: 163 | ||
| Titles | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Career total: 2 | ||
| Finals | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Career total: 4 | ||
| Overall win–loss | 0–0 | 0–7 | 16–17 | 24–30 | 21–22 | 24–26 | 16–18 | 9–11 | 12–6 | 10–16 | 8–11 | 3–4 | 0–1 | 2 / 163 | 143–169 | |
| Win % | – | 0% | 48% | 44% | 49% | 48% | 47% | 45% | 67% | 38% | 42% | 43% | 0% | Career total: 46% | ||
| Year-end ranking | 263 | 85 | 66 | 41 | 55 | 62 | 89 | 105 | 68 | 82 | 112 | 292 | 337 | $6,105,681 | ||
Current through the2022 Qatar ExxonMobil Open.
| Tournament | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | W–L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Slam tournaments | |||||||||||
| Australian Open | A | A | 1R | 2R | 1R | 1R | A | A | 1R | 1R | 1–6 |
| French Open | A | A | 2R | 1R | 3R | 1R | A | 1R | A | 1R | 3–6 |
| Wimbledon | Q2 | 2R | 1R | A | 1R | A | A | NH | 1R | A | 1–4 |
| US Open | 2R | 2R | 2R[b] | A | 1R | A | A | A | A | 1R | 3–4 |
| Win–loss | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–3 | 1–2 | 2–4 | 0–2 | 0–0 | 0–1 | 0–2 | 0–3 | 8–20 |
| National Representation | |||||||||||
| Davis Cup | A | A | 1R | A | 1R | Z1 | Z1 | RR | 2–4 | ||
| Career Statistics | |||||||||||
| 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | Career | |
| Tournaments | 1 | 5 | 18 | 7 | 15 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 9 | 7 | 71 |
| Titles | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Finals | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Overall win–loss | 1–1 | 7–4 | 7–16 | 4–7 | 9–12 | 6–6 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 3–9 | 2–7 | 39–66 |
| Year-end rankings | 305 | 123 | 181 | 184 | 135 | 177 | 584 | 651 | 342 | 686 | 37.14% |
|
|
|
| Result | W–L | Date | Tournament | Tier | Surface | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 1–0 | Jan 2015 | Auckland Open, New Zealand | ATP 250 | Hard | 6–3, 6–2 | |
| Loss | 1–1 | Apr 2015 | Romanian Open, Romania | ATP 250 | Clay | 6–7(5–7), 6–7(11–13) | |
| Win | 2–1 | Feb 2020 | Maharashtra Open, India | ATP 250 | Hard | 7–6(7–2), 5–7, 6–3 | |
| Loss | 2–2 | Feb 2022 | Dubai Tennis Championships, UAE | ATP 500 | Hard | 3–6, 4–6 |
|
|
|
| Result | W–L | Date | Tournament | Tier | Surface | Partner | Opponents | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 1–0 | Oct 2014 | Kremlin Cup, Russia | ATP 250 | Hard (i) | 7–6(7–2), 7–5 | ||
| Win | 2–0 | May 2017 | Istanbul Open, Turkey | ATP 250 | Clay | 6–0, 6–0 | ||
| Loss | 2–1 | Jul 2018 | Croatia Open Umag, Croatia | ATP 250 | Clay | 4–6, 4–6 |
|
|
| Result | W–L | Date | Tournament | Tier | Surface | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 1–0 | May 2011 | Czech Republic F1, Teplice | Futures | Clay | 3–6, 7–6(9–7), 6–1 | |
| Win | 2–0 | Jan 2012 | China F1, Shenzhen | Futures | Hard | 6–4, 7–5 | |
| Win | 3–0 | Jul 2012 | Czech Republic F4, Prostějov | Futures | Clay | 6–4, 6–4 | |
| Win | 4–0 | Jul 2012 | Czech Republic F5, Prague | Futures | Clay | 6–4, 6–0 | |
| Loss | 4–1 | Jul 2012 | Czech Republic F6, Liberec | Futures | Clay | 6–3, 6–7(3–7), 0–6 | |
| Win | 5–1 | Aug 2012 | Austria F5, Wels | Futures | Clay | 6–2, 6–2 | |
| Win | 6–1 | Sep 2012 | Portugal F4, Espinho | Futures | Clay | 6–2, 6–4 | |
| Win | 7–1 | Jan 2013 | Israel F1, Eilat | Futures | Hard | 6–1, 6–2 | |
| Win | 8–1 | Jan 2013 | Israel F2, Eliat | Futures | Hard | 6–2, 6–4 | |
| Win | 9–1 | Mar 2013 | USA F6, Harlingen | Futures | Hard | 5–7, 7–6(7–4), 6–3 | |
| Win | 10–1 | Apr 2013 | Mersin, Turkey | Challenger | Clay | 6–1, 6–1 | |
| Win | 11–1 | May 2013 | Ostrava, Czech Republic | Challenger | Clay | 6–4, 6–4 | |
| Loss | 11–2 | May 2013 | Prostějov, Czech Republic | Challenger | Clay | 4–6, 2–6 | |
| Loss | 11–3 | Jul 2013 | Braunschweig, Germany | Challenger | Clay | 6–4, 2–6, 1–6 | |
| Win | 12–3 | Aug 2013 | Liberec, Czech Republic | Challenger | Clay | 6–7(2–7), 7–6(9–7), 6–4 | |
| Win | 13–3 | Jun 2014 | Prostějov, Czech Republic | Challenger | Clay | 6–2, 6–2 | |
| Loss | 13–4 | Jun 2014 | Prague, Czech Republic | Challenger | Clay | 6–3, 4–6, 4–6 | |
| Win | 14–4 | Jun 2015 | Prostějov, Czech Republic (2) | Challenger | Clay | 6–4, 6–2 | |
| Win | 15–4 | Jun 2017 | Prostějov, Czech Republic (3) | Challenger | Clay | 5–7, 6–1, 7–5 | |
| Loss | 15–5 | May 2018 | Heilbronn, Germany | Challenger | Clay | 6–4, 4–6, 5–7 | |
| Win | 16–5 | Nov 2019 | Eckental, Germany | Challenger | Carpet (i) | 6–4, 4–6, 6–3 | |
| Win | 17–5 | Oct 2021 | Mouilleron-le-Captif, France | Challenger | Hard (i) | 6–4, 6–4 | |
| Win | 18–5 | May 2024 | Prague, Czech Republic | Challenger | Clay | 6–2, 3–6, 7–6(7–3) |
|
|
| Result | W–L | Date | Tournament | Tier | Surface | Partner | Opponents | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 0–1 | Nov 2010 | Czech Republic F5, Opava | Futures | Carpet (i) | 6–7(7–9), 2–6 | ||
| Loss | 0–2 | May 2012 | Ostrava, Czech Republic | Challenger | Clay | 5–7, 7–5, [8–10] | ||
| Win | 1–2 | May 2012 | Czech Republic F2, Most | Futures | Clay | 6–1, 6–4 | ||
| Win | 2–2 | May 2012 | Czech Republic F3, Jablonec nad Nisou | Futures | Clay | 7–5, 6–4 | ||
| Win | 3–2 | Jul 2012 | Czech Republic F4, Prostějov | Futures | Clay | 7–6(7–2), 6–3 | ||
| Win | 4–2 | Jan 2013 | Israel F1, Eilat | Futures | Hard | 6–3, 6–1 | ||
| Win | 5–2 | Jan 2013 | Israel F2, Eilat | Futures | Hard | 6–4, 7–5 | ||
| Win | 6–2 | Jun 2014 | Prague, Czech Republic | Challenger | Clay | 6–1, 6–3 | ||
| Loss | 6–3 | Jun 2018 | Caltanissetta, Italy | Challenger | Clay | 6–7(4–7), 6–7(5–7) | ||
| Loss | 6–4 | Jun 2019 | Prostějov, Czech Republic | Challenger | Clay | 4–6, 6–7(4–7) |
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| Season | 2016 | ... | 2019 | 2022 | Total |
| Wins | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| # | Player | Rank | Event | Surface | Rd | Score | JVR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | |||||||
| 1. | No. 1 | Monte-Carlo Masters, France | Clay | 2R | 6–4, 2–6, 6–4 | No. 55 | |
| 2. | No. 8 | Wimbledon, United Kingdom | Grass | 2R | 7–6(7–4), 7–6(7–5), 7–6(7–3) | No. 64 | |
| 2019 | |||||||
| 3. | No. 5 | Wimbledon, United Kingdom | Grass | 1R | 4–6, 6–3, 6–2, 7–5 | No. 124 | |
| 2022 | |||||||
| 4. | No. 1 | Dubai Championships, UAE | Hard | QF | 6–4, 7–6(7–4) | No. 123 | |
| Awards | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | ITF Junior World Champion 2011 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | ATP Star of Tomorrow 2013 | Succeeded by |