Aleksandar “Kova” Kovacevic’s rise in professional tennis is a story shaped less by early dominance and more by perseverance and thoughtful evolution. Despite playing only a handful of matches in high school, Kovacevic has climbed into the ATP Top 80 by 2025, defeating top-ranked opponents and collecting multiple Challenger titles along the way. His trajectory reflects a player who has learned, adapted, and improved through each stage of his journey rather than racing ahead from the start.
Born on August 29, 1998, to former table tennis pros from Serbia and Bosnia, Kovacevic began playing tennis at the age of five on public courts in Central Park. Growing up in New York City’s Upper West Side, he initially lacked the conventional competitive exposure that many young players rely on. During his time at Beacon High School, he remained relatively unknown in junior circles and admitted he was nowhere near the level of the players he now competes against. His development accelerated after being discovered by coach Gilad Bloom, who helped him secure training at the John McEnroe Tennis Academy. Later, a relocation to Florida to train under Rick Macci marked a turning point, giving him the professional environment and mental push to pursue tennis more seriously.
Kovacevic’s college years at the University of Illinois proved pivotal. Competing for five seasons, he transformed from a lower-lineup player into the team’s No. 1 singles star and a two-time All-American. Reaching the NCAA semifinals in 2019 gave him the belief that he could beat players he once thought superior. He matured not only as an athlete but also mentally, embracing the hard work necessary to transition from college star to tour professional.
Since turning pro in 2021, Kovacevic has carved out success gradually. He won five Challenger titles, most notably four in 2023, which solidified his place on the ATP radar. A career-high ranking of No. 72 came in September 2024 after an impressive run at the Australian Open and consistent Challenger-level dominance. The highlight of his ATP career to date came in 2025 when he stunned World No. 10 Andrey Rublev en route to the Montpellier final, proving he could perform on the big stage against elite talent.
Now based in Boca Raton, training with coach Dante Bottini, Kovacevic continues to refine his aggressive baseline game, particularly his forehand and indoor court play. Though his path lacked the explosive teenage rise common among tennis’s top stars, Kovacevic has steadily built a career that now places him among the most promising American players of his generation—driven not by hype, but by substance.
