Wikipedia

Nikola Milojević (tennis)

Nikola Milojević (Serbian Cyrillic: Никола Милојевић, pronounced [nǐkola mǐlojeʋitɕ]; born 19 June 1995) is a Serbian professional tennis player. Milojević has a career high ATP singles ranking of No. 125, which he achieved on 21 February 2022. He also achieved a career high ATP doubles ranking of No. 252 on 18 February 2019. He reached his highest ranking of no. 1 in ITF Junior rankings on 7 January 2013.[1]

Nikola Milojević
Milojević at the 2022 French Open
Country (sports) Serbia
ResidenceBelgrade, Serbia
Born (1995-06-19) 19 June 1995 (age 29)
Belgrade, Serbia, FR Yugoslavia
Height1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Turned pro2013
PlaysRight-handed (two-handed backhand)
CoachMarcos Roy
Prize moneyUS$1,047,468
Singles
Career record6–8
Career titles0
Highest rankingNo. 125 (21 February 2022)
Current rankingNo. 859 (15 January 2024)
Grand Slam singles results
Australian Open1R (2022)
French Open2R (2020)
WimbledonQ3 (2021)
US OpenQ3 (2018)
Doubles
Career record2–3
Career titles0
Highest rankingNo. 252 (18 February 2019)
Team competitions
Davis Cup1–2
Last updated on: 15 January 2024.

Career

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Junior career (2008–13)

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As a junior, Milojević was a prodigious player who won several youth tournaments. He won his first title, the U14 Jug Open, on 25 May 2008, when he was still one month short of his 13th birthday.[2][3] Between July and November 2008, Milojević reached five U14 finals in a row, winning three and losing two.[2]

In 2009, Milojević dominated the U14 circuit in the Tennis Europe Junior Tour, starting off the season by winning a national title at the indoor championship held in Novi Sad, which was followed by a Category 1 title in Bolton.[2][4] He then collected two of the most prestigious trophies of the year at Petits As and the European Junior Championships at Pilsen,[4] beating Borna Ćorić and Kyle Edmund, respectively, in the finals.[5][6][7] He also won titles in Maia (Portugal) and Livorno (Italy).[2][4] He remained undefeated in his age group (Under 14), both on the domestic and world stage, until six months after his debut in the U14 circuit.[4]

Before he turned 14, Milojević started competing in the ITF Junior Circuit in the under-18 category. In his first three tournaments, he reached the quarterfinals in all of them, including a semifinal in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in November 2009.[2][4]

In 2012, Milojević won five ITF titles across all four surfaces, winning in Malaysia and Manila on hardcourts, in Halle on grass, Nagoya on carpet, and in Mexico City on clay.[2] He then kickstarted 2013 by winning the Copa del Cafe in Costa Rica, beating Tommy Mylnikov in the final. This triumph allowed him to become the world's No. 1 in the ITF Junior rankings, thus becoming the first Serbian to reach such a feat since Janko Tipsarević.[1]

2014: ATP debut

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Milojević was a fifth player on a Serbian Davis Cup team in the first round tie against United States in the 2010 Davis Cup[8] as well as a first round tie against Switzerland in 2014[9][10] and didn't play in any match.

Milojević made his ATP main draw debut as a wildcard at 2014 Düsseldorf Open, where he defeated Mirza Bašić in the first round before losing to eventual finalist, Ivo Karlović, in the second round.

2017: Three Challengers finals, Top 150 debut

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He was also invited for a semifinal clash against France in 2017, but instead chose to play in a Challenger tournament in order to improve his ATP ranking.[11] He reached the top 150 on 2 October 2017.

2018–19: Davis Cup debut, First & Second Challenger titles

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In February 2018, he finally made his Davis Cup debut, partnered with another debutant, Miljan Zekić, in a doubles match against the US, losing 7–6(3), 2–6, 5–7, 4–6 in the first round.[12]

In June 2018, Milojević won his first Challenger title in Fergana, Uzbekistan.

Milojević partnered with Danilo Petrović for the 2018 Davis Cup World Group play-offs vs. India in September. They defeated Rohan Bopanna/Saketh Myneni in straight sets to help secure Serbia a decisive 3–0 lead after second day's play. (Serbia eventually won the tie 4–0)[12]

In August 2019, he won his third Challenger title at the 2019 Svijany Open in Liberec, Czechia.

2020–21: ATP Cup champion & Major debut & first win, Challenger Third title & two finals

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In January 2020, he was part of Serbian team that won the Inaugural ATP Cup by defeating Spain in the final.

In September 2020, Milojević reached the second round on his debut as a qualifier in a Grand Slam main draw at the 2020 French Open, where he won his first match against fellow Serbian Filip Krajinović in four sets 6–4, 3–6, 6–3, 6–1.[13]

After winning his third Challenger title at the 2021 Zadar Open in Croatia by defeating Bulgarian Dimitar Kuzmanov, Milojević reached his best career-high ranking of No. 129 on 5 April 2021.

2022: Australian Open debut, ATP quarterfinal and Top 125 debut

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In January, Milojević qualified into the main draw of the 2022 Australian Open for the first time at this Major, but lost to Mackenzie McDonald in the opening round. After the Australian tour, he reached the quarterfinals as a lucky loser at the Córdoba Open where he lost to Juan Ignacio Londero. As a result, he reached the top 125 on 21 February 2022.

Singles performance timeline

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Key
W  F  SF QF #R RR Q# DNQ A NH
(W) winner; (F) finalist; (SF) semifinalist; (QF) quarterfinalist; (#R) rounds 4, 3, 2, 1; (RR) round-robin stage; (Q#) qualification round; (DNQ) did not qualify; (A) absent; (NH) not held; (SR) strike rate (events won / competed); (W–L) win–loss record.
To avoid confusion and double counting, these charts are updated at the conclusion of a tournament or when the player's participation has ended.

Current through the 2023 French Open.

Tournament 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 SR W–L Win%
Grand Slam tournaments
Australian Open A A A A Q1 Q1 Q1 Q3 Q2 1R Q1 A 0 / 1 0–1 0%
French Open A A A Q1 A Q1 Q2 2R Q2 Q1 A 0 / 1 1–1 50%
Wimbledon A A A A Q2 Q1 Q1 NH Q3 Q1 A 0 / 0 0–0 0%
US Open A A A Q1 Q1 Q3 Q2 A Q1 Q1 A 0 / 0 0–0 0%
Win–loss 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 1–1 0–0 0–1 0–0 0–0 0 / 2 1–2 33%
Career statistics
Tournaments 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 2 2 0 0 Career total: 8
Overall win–loss 0–0 1–1 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 1–1 2–2 1–2 1–2 0–0 0–0 0 / 8 6–8 43%
Win % – 50% – – – – 50% 50% 33% 33%  –   –  Career total: 43%
Year-end ranking 703 385 240 238 158 174 155 138 136 259 797 $1,047,468

Team competition finals: 1 (1–0)

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Result W–L Date Team competition Surface Partner/Team Opponents Score
Win 1–0 Jan 2020 ATP Cup, Sydney, Australia Hard   Novak Djokovic
  Dušan Lajović
  Viktor Troicki
  Nikola Ćaćić 		  Rafael Nadal
  Roberto Bautista Agut
  Pablo Carreño Busta
  Albert Ramos Viñolas
  Feliciano López 		2–1

Challenger and Futures finals

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Singles: 33 (15 titles, 18 runner–ups)

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Legend (singles)
ATP Challenger Tour (3–8)
ITF Futures Tour (12–10)
Titles by surface
Hard (12–11)
Clay (3–7)
Grass (0–0)
Carpet (0–0)
Titles by setting
Outdoor (13–16)
Indoor (2–0)
Result W–L    Date    Tournament Tier Surface Opponent Score
Win 1–0 Sep 2013 Greece F12, Marathon Futures Hard   Louk Sorensen w/o
Win 2–0 Mar 2014 Kazakhstan F3, Aktobe Futures Hard (i)   Ilya Lebedev 7–6(7–5), 6–3
Loss 2–1 Jun 2014 Turkey F19, Bodrum Futures Clay   Jared Donaldson 3–6, 4–6
Loss 2–2 Jul 2014 China F9, Zhangjiagang Futures Hard   Li Zhe 2–6, 2–6
Win 3–2 Aug 2014 Turkey F27, Ankara Futures Clay   Gavin van Peperzeel 7–5, 7–5
Loss 3–3 Feb 2015 Turkey F5, Antalya Futures Hard   Riccardo Bellotti 6–7(2–7), 5–7
Loss 3–4 Feb 2015 Egypt F6, Sharm El Sheikh Futures Hard   Jaroslav Pospíšil 4–6, 4–6
Loss 3–5 Apr 2015 Greece F2, Heraklion Futures Hard   Peđa Krstin 4–6, 6–7(3–7)
Loss 3–6 Jun 2015 Uzbekistan F3, Andijan Futures Hard   Denys Molchanov 6–2, 6–7(3–7), 4–6
Loss 3–7 Aug 2015 Switzerland F3, Geneva Futures Clay   Roberto Marcora 4–6, 2–6
Win 4–7 Sep 2015 Tunisia F24, El Kantaoui Futures Hard   Jannis Kahlke 6–3, 6–1
Win 5–7 Nov 2015 Tunisia F31, El Kantaoui Futures Hard   Antoine Hoang 2–6, 7–5, 6–4
Win 6–7 Nov 2015 Tunisia F32, El Kantaoui Futures Hard   Alexandre Müller 6–2, 6–3
Win 7–7 Dec 2015 Tunisia F35, El Kantaoui Futures Hard   Anis Ghorbel 6–3, 7–5
Win 8–7 Dec 2015 Tunisia F36, El Kantaoui Futures Hard   Anis Ghorbel 6–2, 4–6, 6–3
Loss 8–8 Feb 2016 Egypt F3, Sharm El Sheikh Futures Hard   Karim-Mohamed Maamoun 6–7(5–7), 6–2, 4–6
Win 9–8 Feb 2016 Egypt F4, Sharm El Sheikh Futures Hard   Laurent Rochette 6–2, 6–4
Loss 9–9 Jun 2016 Tunisia F21, Hammamet Futures Clay   Cristian Garín 4–6, 6–2, 0–6
Win 10–9 Aug 2016 Egypt F18, Sharm El Sheikh Futures Hard   Bradley Mousley 3–6, 6–3, 6–3
Loss 10–10 Oct 2016 Turkey F41, Antalya Futures Hard   Alex Molčan 4–6, 5–7
Loss 10–11 Jan 2017 Nouméa, New Caledonia Challenger Hard   Adrian Mannarino 3–6, 5–7
Loss 10–12 Feb 2017 Tempe, USA Challenger Hard   Tennys Sandgren 6–4, 0–6, 3–6
Loss 10–13 Jun 2017 Fergana, Uzbekistan Challenger Hard   Ilya Ivashka 4–6, 3–6
Win 11–13 Jul 2017 China F14, Tianjin Futures Hard   Li Zhe 6–4, 6–2
Win 12–13 Feb 2018 Kazakhstan F2, Shymkent Futures Hard (i)   Sanjar Fayziev 6–2, 5–7, 7–6(8–6)
Win 13–13 Jun 2018 Fergana, Uzbekistan Challenger Hard   Enrique López Pérez 6–3, 6–4
Loss 13–14 Oct 2018 Almaty, Kazakhstan Challenger Hard   Denis Istomin 7–6(7–4), 6–7(5–7), 2–6
Loss 13–15 Apr 2019 Barletta, Italy Challenger Clay   Gianluca Mager 6–7(4–7), 7–5, 2–3 ret.
Win 14–15 Aug 2019 Liberec, Czech Republic Challenger Clay   Rogério Dutra Silva 6–3, 3–6, 6–4
Win 15–15 Mar 2021 Zadar, Croatia Challenger Clay   Dimitar Kuzmanov 2–6, 6–2, 7–6(7–5)
Loss 15–16 Sep 2021 Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina Challenger Clay   Juan Manuel Cerúndolo 3-6, 1-6
Loss 15–17 Sep 2021 Braga, Portugal Challenger Clay   Thiago Monteiro 5-7, 5-7
Loss 15–18 June 2022 Blois, France Challenger Clay   Alexandre Müller 6–7(3–7), 1–6

Notes

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Nikola Milojević prvi junior sveta" [Nikola Milojević, the first junior in the world]. www.b92.net (in Bosnian). 6 January 2013. Archived from the original on 28 August 2023. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Tennis results of Nikola Milojevic ATP Tennis Player". www.coretennis.net. Archived from the original on 24 August 2016. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  3. ^ "27/05/08 - JUNIORI U-14: Ivan Divković u dva finala" [27/05/08 - JUNIORS U-14: Ivan Divković in two finals]. www.tsbih.ba (in Bosnian). 26 May 2008. Archived from the original on 28 October 2021. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Nikola Milojević prvak evrope..." [Nikola Milojević European champion...]. www.teniskisavez.com (in Bosnian). 3 June 2009. Archived from the original on 28 May 2022. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  5. ^ "Les Petits As 2009". www.eurosport.fr (in French). 2 February 2009. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  6. ^ "The winners of Les Petits As". www.lespetitsas.com. Archived from the original on 26 October 2023. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  7. ^ "European Junior Championships 14 & Under". www.tenniseurope.org. Archived from the original on 27 October 2023. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  8. ^ Mandrapa, N. (3 July 2010). "Marko je patriota!" (in Serbian). Večernje novosti. Archived from the original on 2018-12-06. Retrieved 2017-11-18.
  9. ^ "Održana pre-draw konferencija NIS Dejvis kup reprezentacije Srbije" (in Serbian). Tennis Federation of Serbia. 29 January 2014. Archived from the original on 2018-12-06. Retrieved 2017-11-18.
  10. ^ "Ne plaše se Vavrinke: Podmlađena ekipa igra protiv Švajcarske u Novom Sadu! (Foto)" (in Serbian). Svet. 29 January 2014. Archived from the original on 2017-12-01. Retrieved 2017-11-18.
  11. ^ "ЕКСКЛУЗИВНО, Зимоњић зна тим за Французе, Лајовић прва табла!" (in Serbian). Sportski žurnal. 4 September 2017. Archived from the original on 2022-05-21. Retrieved 2017-11-19.
  12. ^ a b Nikola Milojević at the Davis Cup
  13. ^ "LIVE - Filip Krajinovic - Nikola Milojevic Roland-Garros men". Archived from the original on 2023-10-30. Retrieved 2020-09-29.
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