Jiri Lehecka could celebrate the biggest title of his career to date when he takes on Jannik Sinner in the Miami Open final on Sunday evening. And the Czech’s bid for an upset win over Jannik Sinner is being driven on by an adoring partner who already as a sporting icon in the family.
Sunday’s finale in Florida will represent Lehecka’s first time competing in the deciding match of an ATP 1000 event, where Sinner can complete the Sunshine Double. He has never advanced beyond the quarter-final of any major tournament and it’s been more than a year since the most recent of his title wins on the ATP Tour. Not that it appears to have dented the affection his girlfriend, Lucie Neumannova, feels for the Czech star. The 24-year-old’s partner is currently cheering him on in Miami, where she has been documenting her journey on the other side of the Atlantic.
And Neumannova has built her own impressive following as an influencer and athlete herself. It’s little wonder, too, considering she’s the daughter of legendary Czech cross-country skier Katerina Neumannova.
Neumannova is highly thought of in Winter Olympics circles after winning gold in the 30-kilometre freestyle event back in 2006. Almost as impressive is the fact she was the first Czech woman to compete in both Winter and Summer Olympics given she was part of the mountain bike event at te 1996 Summer Games in Atlanta.
As well as being a two-time world champion in the 10km freestyle, Katerina is also one of only five cross-country skiers to have competed in six editions of the Olympics. And the atletics bug clearly rubbed off on daughter Lucie, albeit short of the Olympic standard.
The beautiful blonde describes is a track and field athlete who specialises in short and middle-distance events, with clips of her competing at Hyrox-style events and skiing competitions visible on her Instagram. She also shares gym workouts and dietary tips with her 159,000 followers.
That’s in addition to modelling for certain brands and fitnesswear manufacturers. Neumannova also makes occasional appearances on Czech television to promote her growing brand independent of her famous family lineage.
It’s a sign of who the bigger name in the Czech Republic may be given Neumannova boasts almost three times the Instagram followers currently subscribed to her other half. However, Neumannova has shown just how much Lehecka’s success means after a teary cameo watching his straight-sets win over Arthur Fils on Friday.
The 24-year-old blazed past the Frenchman 6-2, 6-2 to break new ground once more on the ATP Tour. And the result was that much more of a surprise given the buzz surrounding Fils in what’s been a breakthrough year.
Opponent Sinner will represent another step up altogether when they collide on Sunday. However, he’s already winning off the court thanks to the support of his sporting progeny partner.