Is Nelly Korda American By Birth? Controversy around LPGA Star’s Ethnicity Explored

Nelly Korda, born in Bradenton, Florida, proudly represents the United States in the world of golf, and her gold medal victory at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics further solidified her status as an American sports icon. However, Korda’s ethnic background traces back to Czechoslovakia, where her parents, both accomplished athletes, were born and raised.

Her father, Petr Korda, was a celebrated tennis player who once reached World No. 2, and her mother, Regina Rajchrtová, also a tennis Olympian, competed at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul. After retiring from their respective sports, Korda’s parents moved to the U.S. and became American citizens, raising Nelly and her two siblings, who have also made names for themselves in the sports world.

Despite being American by birth, Nelly Korda’s heritage is deeply rooted in her parents’ Czechoslovakian origins. Her family’s athletic legacy is apparent, with her older sister Jessica Korda playing on the LPGA Tour since 2011 and her brother Sebastian Korda currently ranked among the top male tennis players globally. The Korda family’s influence spans both golf and tennis, with Nelly continuing to build on the impressive legacy passed down by her parents.