By Scoop Malinowski
Status: Winner of three ATP singles title. Member of Serbia’s Davis Cup-winning team, he won the deciding fifth match vs. France’s Llodra in straight sets (2010). Highest ranking was 12 (in 2011). Current coach of Novak Djokovic. Serbia’s Davis Cup captain
Ht: 6-4 Wt: 189
DOB: February 10, 1986 In: Belgrade, Serbia
Tennis Inspirations: “My idol was Andre Agassi. That’s how I started playing tennis, when I watched him. He was my childhood hero. I had to have everything he had, like all the Nike stuff, Head racquet. I really loved how he played. He was my idol.”
First Tennis Memory: “When I was just hitting the ball into the wall of my house. Just holding the racquet and hitting the ball somehow.”
Hobbies/Interests: “I like to hang out with my friends when I’m at home. Watch football. That’s my second sport.”
Nickname: “Vik. Some other ones but there’s a lot of them. If I decided to count ‘em now it would take too long [smiles].”
Favorite Movie: “Maybe Blow.”
Last Book Read: “I don’t remember. I don’t read so much, I gotta admit.”
Musical Tastes: ‘I like mostly house music.”
First Job: “My uncle employed me when I was five or six to pick up all the paper around his market store.”
Current Car: “Audi A4.”
Pre-Match Feeling: “Well, I always go into the match trying to win the match. And no matter who I play, and always give my best on the court. That’s how I do it. That’s how I prepare and that’s my strategy.”
Greatest Sports Moment: “Well, one of the greatest moments was winning the Davis Cup and my first title in Moscow. And when we won the Team Cup in Dusseldorf. Serbia. And I was the no. 1 player from my country. Winning in Germany against Germany. It was quite a big moment.”
Most Painful Moment: “Maybe some loss. There was a few losses that I didn’t handle so well. When I had the match points in Moscow. I had a match point – a few match points actually – and it was to go into the semifinal. I was quite disappointed when I lost (to Zverev).”
Favorite Tournament: “I like Umag in Croatia. And the tournament in Belgrade. It was like right next to where I live, like two minutes away.”
Closest Tennis Friends: “Guys from Serbia. Novak, Janko, Zimonjic. We’re all close together. We’re all friends and hang out at the tournaments.”
Funniest Players Encountered: “Novak is always funny. All the Serbian guys, Janko, Dusan Vemic are making some jokes. They’re all pretty funny.”
Toughest Competitors: “Cannot remember now. There’s a lot of them. All the guys playing on the Tour are really good. And everyone is trying to win so I cannot pick one.”
People Qualities Most Admired: “Good-hearted. Generous.”
Andre Agassi · Novak Djokovic · Serbia · Viktor Troicki
