Details from Kodeš’s file at the StB: About Lendl, property and currencies

“Kodesh tries to get various financial benefits and profits through advertisements, even small frauds, which has corrupted him so much that he has lost popularity abroad.”

According to the record, Kodeš advocated that “his” Italian brand Cerutti supply tennis players with clothes instead of Adidas. “The source (designation for the informer – editor’s note) characterizes him as a ruthless businessman who goes after his goal headlong.”

The Czech tennis player dominated Wimbledon in 1973… • Photo Profimedia.cz

On his court in Prague, Kodeš gave lessons to diplomats for 200 CZK per hour or for currencies. “This fact has already been criticized several times by tennis officials, but Kodeš flaunts his “acquaintances at the top”.

Kodeš was not led as an StB agent. • Photo by CNC / M. Rušinová

The record of the tennis player’s political and financial affairs is extensive. He mentions a luxury villa lined with cabana for a million, a small pool, a gym, a sauna and a garage for four cars. Kodeš bought Jaguar, Renault and Talbot Horizon cars in Tuzex.

Kodeš’s house was a thorn in the side of the Bolsheviks. • Photo Profimedia.cz

The Wimbledon winner was also scrutinized by the sleuths because of unwanted visits from friends who had left the country. And they dug: “Mentally, Kodeš cannot cope with the fact that he has lost the necessary performance and his peers still have it.”

According to the files, the legendary tennis player Jan Kodeš was supposed to speak with members of the StB. • Photo Profimedia.cz

The comrades recorded how during the customs inspection they found two »credit cards«, which the Czechoslovak representative allegedly received from distant relatives in the USA and thanks to which he was able to use his foreign currency account.

Kodeš was not led as an StB agent. • Photo CNC / Jiří Koťátko