Meet Marko Milosavljevic: A Rising Star on the Court
From serving aces across clay courts to winning tournaments across continents, junior Marko Milosavljevic has backpacked his way around the globe before landing with the Tigers.
A native of Belgrade, Serbia, Milosavljevic grew up in Zimbabwe, but discovered his passion for tennis from a cultural icon back home.
“Being from Serbia, Novak Djokovic, the greatest player of all time, he was from Serbia, and he was the inspiration that brought me to step on to a tennis court for the first time,” Milosavljevic said.
Perhaps Djokovic has been an effective muse, because Milosavljevic has won at multiple levels now. Back in Africa, Milosavljevic won a total of nine ITF South Central Circuit Junior titles (four singles, five doubles) throughout Zimbabwe, Botswana and Kenya. His success led him to Chicago where had an impressive freshman season at DePaul finishing with a record of 12-5 in singles and 9-3 in doubles.
Milosavljevic transferred to the University of Memphis after being impressed by the devotion and professionalism displayed by the coaching staff during the transfer portal.
“When I was in the portal, I was talking to a lot of coaches. Coach Chris Doerr, assistant coach Eduardo Mena, and assistant coach Alec Robillard. They just all seemed very intrigued into the program and they give a lot of time into us as players,” Milosavljevic said. “And their professionalism made it really intriguing for me to come here.”
Milosavljevic not only brings a wealth of tennis achievements and accolades, but also cultural experience to the Tigers. A sports business major with aspirations of continuing his professional career after he graduates, he believes that his transition to America and Memphis was made smoother overall due to his lived experiences in both Europe and Africa.
“It's helped me a lot through coming to America. I know how to experience different situations, having, like, two different cultural upbringings in my life,” Milosavljevic said.
Though now playing collegiately in the United States, Milosavljevic still credits his time playing in Africa with his ascension from the junior circuits to the NCAA to the professional ranks.
“I figured it out when I was a junior, and the transition to professional tennis made it easy,” Milosavljevic said. “So, it builds up character, it builds your confidence. You already have some character behind you from playing the junior tour.”
Perhaps Milosavljevic has figured something out. He and fellow Tiger Obrad Markovski teamed up this summer and won the M15 Kursumlijska Banja doubles title in Serbia in July. Winning a professional tournament and gaining valuable exposure will surely complement Milosavljevic and the Tigers, as he looks to carry that momentum into the fall season.
“As a team, we want to get back into the Top 25 rankings,” Milosavljevic said. “It's something that, as a team, we really want to do.”
The fall slate presents players with opportunities to focus on individual development, rather than the team format that is implemented in the spring. The schedule still brings plenty of challenges and personal goals for Milosavljevic and the Tigers.
“Individually, I think just try and make the NCAA tournament,” Milosavljevic said. “And for doubles, hopefully the same also. And try to be as highly ranked as possible.”
https://www.dailyhelmsman.com/article/meet-marko-milosavljevic-a-rising-star-on-the-court-20260918