“Going to ask for a day off now,” World No. 784 Matija Pecotic surprises himself with win over Jack Sock in Delray Beach
Pecotic defeated former World No.8, Jack Sock, to win at the Delray Beach Open
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Matija Pecotic and Jack Sock
Matija Pecotic, the 33-year-old Croatian, who plays ‘part-time’ tennis recently won his maiden ATP Tour match. Pecotic was the first three-time consecutive Ivy League Player of the Year. He was also ranked as high as No.2 at collegiate-level tennis. The Croatian was an excellent student, as Princeton University and Harvard Business School graduate.
Pecotic won his maiden ATP match against former World No. 8 Jack Sock (2-6, 6-4, 6-4) at the Delray Beach Open. The 33-year-old is ranked No. 784 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings and works full-time as the Director of Capital Markets for a real estate investment firm. Notably, Sock has won the Delray Beach championship in 2017. Pecotic had to qualify for the ATP 250 event’s main draw and put on a valiant performance to defeat the former top-10 player.
The World No. 728, expressed his own surprise at winning the match. Pecotic entered the tournament through a chance entry after another player’s withdrawal. In terms of his tennis career, he turned professional in 2014 and peaked at a rating of 206. But before the 2016 Australian Open, he needed surgery for a staph infection, which put a temporary end to his professional tennis career.
Post-match, the Croatian revealed that he came to play with a neutral mindset. He knew enough not to approach the game with negative feelings, but he also knew his capabilities. “I was realistic before the match, Jack is a former top 10 with incredible tennis experience and a huge serve. It would have been arrogant to show up on the court expecting to win, but I didn’t come thinking I was bound to lose either.”
The player also talked about his boss, who came to watch the 33-year-old play. Pecotic is the Director of Capital Markets for Wexford Real Estate Investors, where he works with his 70-year-old boss. And sometimes, even practices tennis with him. The Croatian jokingly remarked, “…I’m going to have to ask for a day off now…”
Also read: Roger Federer’s dispute with Nike saw him become first billionaire in tennis
Matija Pecotic’s unusual tennis career
At age 24, Pecotic became a professional and participated in his first Futures event. In less than two years, he rose to the Top 200, but complications from stomach surgery rendered him unable to move for eight months. Afterward, he applied to Harvard and also got in. Over the next few months, Pecotic won 10 ITF titles as he once again reached No .320.
After Covid hit, the player was stuck in place, describing the period as a ‘tough moment’. Despite his age, the Croatian is still determined to keep his passion alive. “I absolutely love this game,” he said, “And I know it’s not forever and I’m 33. I try to train to the maximum every day, hit the gym, go for a run after work. I sometimes train with my boss or another guy who’s in his late 50s.”
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Tanisha Mohanty
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