Before the season started, the Oracle tennis team had no idea what a great the gift they were about to receive. It did not come in new tennis balls or new courts, but in a very talented  player. Serbian foreign exchange student Vladimir Danicic gave the tennis team a real boost to their season, giving them an almost sure win at the one-singles position.  “Vlad has been a tremendous addition to the team. He was the missing piece that nearly led to a sectional title. Sometimes you watch him and all you can say is Wow,” number two singles player Adam Shanks said.

Vladimir has been playing tennis in his home country of Serbia for almost ten years, practicing at a tennis club nearly every day and playing in tournaments around Serbia once a week. Serbia, of course, is the home of the number one ranked tennis player in the world Novak Djokovic. “Tennis is an important sport because the number one tennis player in the world is from Serbia. Everyone in Serbia loves Novak Djokovic. He is definitely my favorite tennis player,” Vladimir said.

Here in America, Vladimir has had an outstanding season on the tennis courts. “I didn’t know what to expect here in America. I think tennis is better back in Serbia, but that is because it is a much bigger sport,” Vladimir said. Vladimir has an outstanding record here in America, going 16-2 at the number one singles position. Many of Vladimir’s matches were the one needed for a team victory as well. As a result, Vladimir led the team to a record of 8-4, with the team losing in the sectional finals. Vladimir, however, moves on to the individual sectional tournament held at Kokomo High School.

Vladimir doesn’t want his tennis career to stop, though. “I want to play in college. It’s a goal of mine and I really want to accomplish it and be as good as I can be. I want to go to college here in America. I would be really happy if I could play tennis at Purdue.”