An experienced investment professional who co-founded the multibillion-dollar hedge fund Aspen Partners, Nikos Hecht was a nationally ranked tennis player at the University of Pennsylvania. Nikos Hecht descends from three-generations of high-level tennis players, beginning with his grandfather, Ladislav Hecht.
Born in present-day Slovakia, Ladislav Hecht appeared in several professional tennis tournaments between 1934 and 1951, including Wimbledon and the French and U.S. Opens. A self-taught player, he led the Czech team in the Davis Cup, an international tennis event. At the time, he ranked amongst the top ten tennis players worldwide. He participated in tournaments across Europe and as far East as Japan and India.
As the Nazis advanced towards Czechoslovakia in 1939, Hecht immigrated to the United States where supported the war effort and furthered his tennis career. He went on to become the number 1 player on the American eastern seaboard. After retiring from the sport, he started a successful toy company. In 1966, a new sports stadium named in his honor opened in Bratislava, Slovakia.
Born in present-day Slovakia, Ladislav Hecht appeared in several professional tennis tournaments between 1934 and 1951, including Wimbledon and the French and U.S. Opens. A self-taught player, he led the Czech team in the Davis Cup, an international tennis event. At the time, he ranked amongst the top ten tennis players worldwide. He participated in tournaments across Europe and as far East as Japan and India.
As the Nazis advanced towards Czechoslovakia in 1939, Hecht immigrated to the United States where supported the war effort and furthered his tennis career. He went on to become the number 1 player on the American eastern seaboard. After retiring from the sport, he started a successful toy company. In 1966, a new sports stadium named in his honor opened in Bratislava, Slovakia.