ORLANDO — Nelly Korda, the daughter of two world-class tennis players, looked up to Nike players Maria Sharapova, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer growing up. When presented with the opportunity to follow in their footsteps by partnering with the iconic brand, Korda said she was “over the moon.”
“That’s something I’ve always dreamt about,” said Korda as she met with media for the first time ahead of the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions.
New-look Nelly, clad in her Swoosh attire, also returned to her roots in the equipment department, signing with TaylorMade to begin the 2023 season. The World No. 2 noted that she used TaylorMade equipment for her entire junior career. Korda said she began the testing process in October.
“They were amazing when it came to how diligent they were with the whole process of it,” said Korda. “Obviously it was a lot of extensive testing, because to make the switch I wanted to be 100 percent sure. Everything honestly went really smoothly. I was hitting every club really well.”
After a late-season win at the Pelican LPGA Championship, Korda’s 2022 continued late into December as she competed alongside PGA Tour players at the QBE Shootout and PNC Championship. Male pros raved about Korda’s play at every turn. When asked what she pulled from that experience, Korda laughed as she said, “That they should watch more women’s golf
“They were very kind with their words towards me,” she continued, “but I think if they came out here and watched all the girls compete they would be equally impressed.
“Just shows the product that we have out here, and hopefully we continue to grow that.”
Korda said she put her clubs away for a week and a spent a good deal of time during her short offseason in the gym, “to build a base in a sense to learn more about my body.”
With another month-long break coming up before the LPGA returns to action in Thailand late next month, Korda said didn’t mind that first mini-offseason.
“I would never turn those down,” said Korda of the QBE and PNC, “especially being able showcase women’s golf. If I’m a slight bit part of that I’m super happy and super grateful to even be on that stage.”
Korda won the Gainbridge LPGA in 2021 at Lake Nona and tied fourth last year at this event. She’ll be paired once again with last year’s celebrity champion Derek Lowe, who has become a good friend over the years. Lowe and his wife followed her earlier this year the QBE Shootout in Naples. She requests to be grouped with him every year for this event.
“It’s an honor, to be honest with you,” said Lowe of what it’s like playing inside the ropes with Korda.
“People don’t understand, male or female, how good they actually are and understanding the shots they hit. Like you may not see it on TV. They cut it. They draw it. The distances they hit it.”
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