Filip Krajinović, a professional tennis player from Serbia, has announced his retirement from the sport. Reflecting on his journey, Krajinović shared memories of his early days in the small town of Sombor, in northern Serbia, where tennis was a family affair. “Tennis has always been a part of my family’s everyday life; my father, brother, and both uncles grew up on the courts of the Žak Sombor Tennis Club,
” Krajinović recalled. His father would often take him to watch matches, sparking a passion for the sport that would become his first and greatest love. “The racket was bigger than me, but my desire to spend every day on the court was greater than the racket,” he said, reminiscing about the unforgettable childhood he spent on those beautiful courts.
Krajinović played his first tournament at the age of eight, returning home with a trophy in hand. He went on to become the national champion in the under-10, under-12, and under-14 categories before his tennis journey took him to the United States. He expressed deep gratitude to the IMG Tennis Academy Bollettieri and his manager for providing him with the best possible conditions at a crucial point in his development.
“I spent five unforgettable years in their environment, during which I won several prestigious junior tournaments and reached the semifinals of two junior Grand Slams,” Krajinović noted. These achievements placed him among the top eight juniors in the world and allowed him to transition to the senior level at the age of 16.
Krajinović fulfilled his childhood dream by sharing the court and competing with some of the greatest players in the history of the sport. Reflecting on his career, he acknowledged the ups and downs that are part of any athlete’s journey.
“My path was turbulent, interesting, and sometimes, even to myself, illogical,” he admitted. Although he regrets not winning an ATP title, Krajinović takes pride in his five ATP finals, including the Paris Masters final and the prestigious Queen’s Club Championships, which helped him achieve a career-high ranking of 26th in the world. He also cherished his 15-year experience with the Serbian Davis Cup team, where he had the honor of sharing the locker room with a generation of champions.
Looking back on his career, Krajinović expressed immense gratitude for everything tennis has given him. “When I look back at everything I have achieved and everything tennis has given me, I am immensely grateful and happy to have been on this journey,” he reflected.
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He also highlighted the friendships and unforgettable moments that have enriched his life through the sport. As he steps away from the professional circuit, Krajinović leaves behind a legacy of dedication, perseverance, and a love for tennis that has defined his life.
