Tomas Berdych

Tomas Berdych is a Czech tennis player who has put together an enviable career during one of the toughest eras in men's tennis.

Despite being frequently pitted against Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, Berdych has been a consistent presence at the top of the ATP tour for close to a decade. He has had impressive results at both Grand Slams and smaller tournaments, and has earned considerable praise for his hard work and dedication.

Best finish at each of the four Grand Slams:

Australian Open: Semifinalist (2014, 2015)

French Open: Semifinalist (2010)

Wimbledon: Runner-up (2010)

US Open: Semifinalist (2012)

Highest Ranking: No. 4

Style of play

Berdych is an attacking player who can generate effortless power from the baseline with his tremendous racquet head speed.

He hits both his forehand and his backhand with a lot of flat pace, and looks to take the ball on the rise at every opportunity. He also comes to the net on occasion in order to finish points quickly.

Berdych goes for big returns off both wings, and is capable of putting opponents on the defensive during their service games.

Strengths and weaknesses

Berdych's power off the ground is devastating, and has been known to unsettle even the best players in the world. He can hit winners from anywhere on the court, often changing the entire dynamic of a rally with a single big strike.

Berdych's backhand is his more solid wing, and he uses it for both offense and defense. While his two-handed topspin drive can push players well behind the court, his slice and outstretched jab can also keep him in points long enough to elicit an error from the opponent.

The Czech's forehand is a major weapon, but has been known to misfire at times. His return is similarly hit or miss, and can either give him an immediate advantage or concede the point quickly.

Berdych's serve is lethal and can take the racquet out of the opponent's hand completely. Using his full 6'5" frame effectively, he can take control of points even when forced to hit a second serve.

Berdych's movement and shot selection are two of his biggest weaknesses. Being a tall man, he is not the quickest sprinter at the back of the court. He can also choose the wrong moments to pull the trigger at times, leading to a lot of unforced errors.

Personal life

Berdych was born in Valasske Mezirici, Czech Republic. His father Martin has worked as a train engineer while mother Hana is a doctor.

Berdych took up tennis at the age of five, and was a highly successful on the junior circuit as a teenager. He turned pro in 2002 and within two years shocked the tennis world by defeating then World No. 1 Roger Federer at the Athens Olympics.

The Czech won his first big title at the 2005 Paris Masters while aged just 20, and has been a regular presence among the tennis elite since then.

Berdych was in a relationship with tennis player Lucie Safarova until 2011, and in 2015 he got married to model Ester Satorova.

Social media presence:

Tomas Berdych Instagram: @tomasberdych

Tomas Berdych Twitter: @tomasberdych