St. John's University Athletics
EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME: Mladenov Practices With U.S. Open Finalist Djokovic
9/17/2013 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
Sept. 17, 2013
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QUEENS, N.Y. - For two years, Vasko Mladenov called the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center home as a member of the St. John's men's tennis team. Only an eight minute drive from the Queens campus, the Red Storm's home court saw Mladenov put together a program-best 13-match winning streak during his senior year and two All-BIG EAST seasons during his stint in the Red and White.
Only a few months after departing St. John's, Mladenov was not only given the opportunity to play on his old home court, but he was afforded the chance to be the hitting partner for the top-ranked men's singles player in the world, Novak Djokovic, as he looked to defend his title at the United States Open.
"Getting the chance to hit with Novak Djokovic was an amazing experience," said Mladenov. "It gave me even more belief that I can play tennis at the highest level."
Mladenov was first asked to practice with Ivan Dodig, who was ranked No. 35 in the ATP rankings and advanced two rounds before falling to eventual champion Rafael Nadal. On the morning of Saturday, Aug. 30, assuming that his job was done at this year's Open, Mladenov received a call from Djokovic's team asking if he wanted to hit with the world No. 1.
"I was really excited," said Mladenov, who finished his St. John's career with a 27-12 record. "I hit with him for almost two hours. It was great practice, a great workout and learned a lot."
It was shortly after that warm up that Mladenov was asked to practice with the seven-time Grand Slam winner again before his fourth round match against Frenchman Marcel Granollers. Djokovic went on to defeat Granollers in straight sets, 6-3, 6-0, 6-0, in a match that lasted just one hour and 18 minutes.
"To have Vasko be the hitting partner of a Grand Slam champion is a testament to his success and dedication to his craft over the last few years," said head St. John's men's tennis coach Eric Rebhuhn. "Vasko is one player that has the potential to play in a Grand Slam one day, and hopefully this experience will set everything in motion for him to attain that goal."
Last season, the men's tennis team went 3-1 In the BIG EAST Championship, including wins over higher seeds Georgetown and DePaul, to take fifth place. The Red Storm, was led by its seniors Mladenov, Mike Lampa and Valentin Mihai, who each recorded victories in their win over the Blue Demons in the fifth place match.
To stay up to date with everything St. John's men's tennis this season, be sure to track the squad by following the new Twitter handle, @StJohnsTennis. Use the hashtag #SJUMT to join the conversation.
