If you possibly can’t discover Aleksandar Kovacevic on the tennis courtroom or on a airplane, maybe you need to look to the mountain slopes to seek out the American who’s making fast progress on the ATP Challenger Tour.
“My favorite factor to do on this planet is snowboard,” Kovacevic stated when sharing his love for thrill-seeking actions equivalent to jet-skiing and skydiving. “In 2021, I went and snowboarded with my buddy who lives in Lake Tahoe, California. I used to be there for like 4 days throughout the Australian Open as a result of I didn’t qualify. But this 12 months I went to Australia, so I missed out on snowboarding.
“I grew up in New York City, so I’d go to the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania, it’s a couple of 90-minute drive from the place I lived. I sustained some accidents from snowboarding after I was youthful as a result of all my buddies have been common folks, they didn’t play sports activities like I did. All they needed to do was strive methods on the terrain park and I used to be a little bit child attempting all these methods. I wasn’t superb so I harm myself lots. Now, I’m a little bit smarter.”
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The 24-year-old, who’s competing at this week’s Monterrey Challenger, misses the times when he had extra spare time to pack his gear and head out for a getaway, however now he’s centered on a distinct mountain: climbing the Pepperstone ATP Rankings.
Earlier this month, the previous University of Illinois standout earned his maiden Challenger title in Cleveland, Ohio earlier than rising to a career-high 122. En path to the title, the two-time ITA All-American wanted a deciding set in 4 of his 5 matches and took out the highest three seeds: Emilio Gomez, Steve Johnson, and Wu Yibing, whom the American defeated in a highly-contested championship match.
“To win my first Challenger there was particular, it feels nice,” Kovacevic stated. “It’s one thing I needed to verify off my checklist earlier than transferring into ATP. Not one thing that I needed to verify off or that it was essential to get into the Top 100 or 50, however undoubtedly a plus. It’s one thing I’m blissful to place behind me.”
The Cleveland Challenger wasn’t the primary time Kovacevic and Wu met in a decent battle. In July, the Chinese star fended off Kovacevic’s six championship factors to seize the Indianapolis Challenger title. Every week after Kovacevic was topped champion in Ohio, the 23-year-old Wu accomplished a dream run on the Dallas Open. Despite falling brief in Indianapolis, Kovacevic stored his head excessive and waited for a rematch.
“It was undoubtedly powerful,” Kovacevic stated. “I don’t suppose I essentially choked that remaining. I didn’t really feel as down about it as perhaps I might be if I had the match on my racquet or one thing. But it was undoubtedly powerful, I had six match factors. What I discovered from that remaining is I’ve to be able to play with that man. When I first performed him in Indianapolis, I introduced a reasonably good stage however I used to be fairly impressed with him.
Aleksandar Kovacevic in motion on the 2023 Cleveland Challenger. Credit: Ben Peskar
“In the primary set of the Cleveland remaining I bear in mind considering, ‘This man is one of the best tennis participant I’ve ever seen in my life.’ Then seeing him beat Top-10 gamers was a little bit eye-opening for me as a result of not solely did I beat him not too long ago, it was just some days earlier than. Me and him are good buddies too and loads of the blokes which might be developing which have made some breakthroughs, I’m good buddies with. Trying to be a part of that crew is cool.”
Kovacevic made his Tour-level debut eventually 12 months’s ATP 250 occasion in Seoul, the place as a fortunate loser he defeated the-then World No. 32 Miomir Kecmanovic and accomplished a semi-final run earlier than falling to eventual champion Yoshihito Nishioka.
The New York City native, who now lives and trains in Boca Raton, Florida, has his sights set on extra ATP Tour breakthroughs. Still early in his profession, Kovacevic is decided for a robust displaying in 2023.
“I’d like to complete the 12 months Top 50, that’d be good. Obviously Top 100 is the rapid, short-term objective. Given the alternatives developing, if I could make the Top 100, I feel I could make a push to the Top 50. Ultimately, my objective is to be Top 10 sooner or later however that’s distant as of now.”
Source: www.atptour.com