Hot off successful runs at the Fayetteville 25K at Arkansas and the Knoxville Challenger at Tennessee, Illinois senior Aleks Kovacevic was recently named to Team USA for the Master’U BNP Paribas Collegiate Tournament later this month in Grenoble, France.

Kovacevic was selected by the US Tennis Association as one of three men’s collegiate players in the nation to participate in the tournament, held from Nov. 29-Dec. 1. Kovacevic will be joined on Team USA by Alexandre Rotsaert, a sophomore from Stanford University, and Keegan Smith, a junior from University of California, Los Angeles.

The selection comes as no surprise to Kovacevic, who recently finished as the runner-up at the Fayetteville 25K late last month. His performance at Arkansas surprised more, however.

“It was kind of unexpected,” Kovacevic said. “I was down pretty big in the first set in my first match. So making the final was kind of unexpected, (but it) was a good boost for this fall. I feel like I’ve had a decent fall, but nothing too special.”

Something challenging about this tournament was the majority of the players Kovacevic faced were college graduates or semi-pro players.

“I’m already building my pro ranking as I’m still in school, to set me up for when I graduate,” Kovacevic said. “This (tournament) was interesting. I’ve never been to Arkansas before, and it was cool because I actually got to travel with one of the guys here from Illinois. It was a cool experience.”

Even though Kovacevic was far from Champaign, the New York-native has gotten used to playing around the country.

“If you play tennis a lot, you kind of naturally play on a lot of different surfaces, a lot of different conditions,” Kovacevic said. “So I’m kind of just used to that kind of diversity of playing in different places. It wasn’t really too much new, but it was a cool experience, I have good memories now in Fayetteville, making the final of the tournament.”

Following the tournament in Arkansas, Kovacevic traveled to the University of Tennessee the following week for the annual Knoxville Challenger, held from Nov. 4-10. In the Round of 64, Kovacevic faced Japanese player Kaichi Uchida, currently ranked No. 282 in global ATP singles rankings, defeating him in straight sets, 7-5, 7-5. Kovacevic then moved on to the Round of 32, where he defeated American Bradley Klahn, ranked No. 107 in the same rankings, in three sets, 3-6, 7-6 (7), 6-4. Kovacevic continued to face American Sekou Bangoura, ranked No. 308, defeating him in three sets, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.

Kovacevic’s run was destined to end there, however, as he was defeated in the quarterfinals by American and eventual tournament champion Michael Mmoh in two sets, 4-6, 3-6.

Kovacevic is looking forward to representing his nation in France though he saw his selection as unexpected.

“I knew a little bit about the event, but I didn’t even think it was on my radar,” Kovacevic said. “But a player development coach reached out to me and asked me if I was interested in representing the U.S. in France. Now that (I’m) older and know how the world works a little more, it’ll be a really cool experience.”

Kovacevic also mentioned his chemistry with the other two players, calling them two of his good friends.

Kovacevic is also intensely preparing for the international tournament, using the recent competitions in Knoxville and Fayetteville as preparation.

“Playing a lot of matches right before going to a trip like France will be really beneficial,” Kovacevic said. “We’re going a few days early, before the event actually starts, which is going to help with the time change, and getting situated with being in a new country. I’m a sleeper, so it’s gonna be a little bit of a tough transition.”

Lastly, Kovacevic said he was honored to represent the U.S. at an international level.

“I’m honored they selected me,“ Kovacevic said. “It’s three guys out of I don’t know how many in U.S. college tennis. It’s going to be interesting, because I don’t really know which other players are going to come from different countries, so I might know some of them.”

“It’s going to be awesome,” he said. “I’ve traveled a lot around the world and seen a lot of places, but I’ve always represented myself in those tournaments, and now it’s gonna be representing the country, which is awesome. It’s an honor.”

Kovacevic will also travel with the women’s players, including Alexa Graham of North Carolina, Jada Hart of UCLA and Michaela Gordon of Stanford. The squad will be coached by former Team USA and Boise State coach Greg Patton as well as UCLA women’s associate head coach Rance Brown. Team USA looks to secure its ninth title since first competing in the event in 2008, as well as seeking to grab another consecutive championship.

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