The Big Cat
Mečíř played calmly and without much power, but with an excellent feel for the ball and unexpected shots. He had a reputation as the “Swede killer”, because he often beat the Swedish players who were so strong at the time.
Seoul 1988
Tennis returned to the Olympics in 1988, and Mečíř beat American Tim Mayotte in the singles final. In doubles, with Milan Šrejber, he won bronze. The year before, he had also won the WCT Finals, where he beat John McEnroe.
Further successes
In 1989, together with Helena Suková, he won the first edition of the Hopman Cup for Czechoslovakia. He had to end his career at 26 because of back pain. Later he served as captain of the Slovak Davis Cup team, and he also works with young players.