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A tennis star who once labelled himself one of "the favourites" for only to lose in the first round will not compete at this year's championship. Sebastian Korda is a former Grand Slam quarter-finalist, but his bold assessment ahead of the 2023 tournament left him red-faced at the time.

Korda, who comes from a , made the bold claim ahead of his round one match against Jiri Vesely two years ago. The pair shared the first two sets before Vesely began to run away with the contest, eventually winning 7-6, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3.

Understandably, Korda got plenty of backlash for his comments, having said pre-match: "I'm very confident in myself on a grass court. I move really well, I definitely have a game that not very many people have. I'm an aggressive player, like to come to the net, I have good hands. I definitely feel as if I'm one of the favourites at Wimbledon."

His return to SW19 the following year didn't work out much better, given Korda was once again dumped out in the first round. However, the 24-year-old has enjoyed an improved run at the Slams this year, making the second round of the Australian Open before progressing into the French Open third round last month.

Korda will have to wait another year at least to fulfil his Wimbledon destiny, given a back injury sustained against Frances Tiafoe in Paris has ruled him out. It comes after the American dropped out of 's-Hertogenbosch and Queen's tournaments - events he reached the final and semi-final of last year.

Korda has plenty of sporting pedigree in his family, having been born to former tennis stars Petr and Regina. Father Petr, who was born in Czechia, enjoyed a storied Grand Slam career, finishing as runner-up at the 1992 French Open before going on to win the 1998 Australian Open.

Mum Regina didn't have as much joy, with her best Grand Slam finish coming at the 1991 French Open. However, Sebastian isn't the only sporty kid Regina and Petr have, with both of his sisters, Nelly and Jessica, playing professional golf.

Speaking about his athletic genes, Korda said earlier this year: "I love playing in Australia, as does my family. My dad won the Australian Open 25 years ago, and my sister won the Australian Open in women's golf! "I don't know what I'm going to be ranked [after victory], but my mum's career high was 26, my dad was two, my sister Nelly was No. 1, my elder sister Jessica was six... so I'm definitely the worst athlete in the family so far!"