PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic – Aleksandar Kovacevic knows the best way to enjoy a victory in the Caribbean: “I didn’t have time to go to the beach, but now I will, to enjoy and celebrate with plenty of piña coladas by the sea.”
The cocktails—made with Dominican rum, fresh pineapple juice, and coconut cream—are well deserved for the North American, who won the biggest title of his career at the Copa Cap Cana. “I’ll be the happiest man in the world, having a drink in the Caribbean after winning a title,” he told CLAY after defeating Damir Dzumhur 6-2, 6-3 in the final of the inaugural Challenger 175 in the Dominican Republic.
Kovacevic delivered clean, low-error tennis to claim what is, so far, the most significant victory of his career. He did so under “very tough” conditions: the decisive match started at 1 p.m., under a scorching sun, with temperatures nearing 30°C that felt even hotter. “The conditions were tough all week. Against (Daniel) Altmaier in the quarterfinals, I thought I would have to retire. I suffered cramps, but luckily, I recovered,” he said.
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“The feeling is incredible. I didn’t expect there to be so many people, and it turned out the stadium was full. It was amazing,” said the 26-year-old tennis player.
“I always like playing at beach locations, which is why I signed up for this tournament,” said the American, who could have chosen to play the Challenger 175 in Phoenix, right in the same week.
The palm tree-lined beaches bring happiness to the champion (it was his sixth ATP Challenger title), although nothing compares to the feeling he gets when he’s on a snowy mountain.
Had he not been a tennis player, Aleksandar Kovacevic would have liked to pursue snowboarding, another of his great passions.
“What I love most in life is being on a snowy mountain. If it’s not with a snowboard, I love just chilling,” he confessed to CLAY before his debut in Cap Cana.
Too bad for him, some of the brands that sponsor him don’t allow him to practice too many risky sports: “I can’t really do it. Probably, some of my contracts suggest I shouldn’t because of the risk of injury or something like that. But I’m pretty careful when I’m on the mountain. It’s been 3-4 years since I last did it, and I miss it. Hopefully, I’ll find some time this season to do it again.’
“It’s an escape from my real world. It’s necessary to clear your mind, do other things. Tennis isn’t everything,” said the American with Serbian parents.
The champion in the Dominican Republic will have a few days off before his debut at the Miami Masters 1000 to recover. He’ll be able to do it on the white sand, under the palm trees, and drinking cocktails while fantasizing about the sensation he won’t have for now, like skiing down a mountain on a board, at several kilometers per hour with cold wind hitting his face.”
