What a racquet: Sisko making noise on Toledo’s tennis courts

Traveling a few hours away from home to attend college is too much of a transition for some people.

But University of Toledo sophomore tennis player Stjepan Sisko has traveled across an entire ocean, from the country of Croatia, for higher education and an opportunity to play the sport he loves.

“It’s been an adjustment,” Sisko admitted. “I’ve really had to learn a lot fast.”

A smooth transition on the tennis court has made the adjustment period a bit easier. As a freshman in 2013, Sisko took home first team all Mid-American Conference honors as well as the 2013 Newcomer of the Year award.

“The competition has been solid,” he said. “But I feel I have played well.”

Sisko is now in his second year on campus and comfortable with the English language. He has had plenty of time to reflect on the differences between his new home and his country of origin.

Before bringing his left-handed serve to the MAC, Sisko spent his childhood in the town of Kastel Stari, located in Croatia.

“Where I came from everyone was really loose,” he explained. “Here everyone seems to be in such a rush.

“It was way more relaxed than life here.”

At ten years old, Sisko stumbled upon the game of tennis while simply playing around with his friends.

It wasn’t until the age of 14 that the court became more than a hobby for him.

“I wanted potentially to earn a scholarship,” Sisko said.

Sisko also spent time competing in International Tennis Federation (ITF) tournaments before coming to UT. He placed runner up in junior singles and claimed a U-18 Doubles National Championship, advancing to the semifinals in U-18 singles.

At six feet tall, Sisko’s physical stature sets him apart from others on the men’s tennis team as much, if not more, than his playing style.

“He’s very strong and confident,” said UT head coach Al Wermer. “From a physical stand point, I joke with him that he has the body of a 27-year-old man.”

Sisko finished the spring on a high note, rolling out five straight match victories as a finale to his freshman campaign. It was his second five-match win streak of the season, the other occurring from January 30 to February 14.

Sisko posted 15-8 and 13-8 records in men’s singles and doubles, respectively. He played at the No. 1 and No. 2 spots all year despite being a freshman, using his left-handed style to gain an advantage over his opponents.

“Left-handed players sometimes have the advantage because you are hitting the ball to the weak side of your opponent,” Sisko explained.

Transitioning into college life is difficult for anyone, but for international students like Sisko the challenge is even greater.

“I don’t really know how they do it,” Wermer said. “Coming to a different culture, learning a different language, it’s very admirable.”

Sisko, however, has met this obstacle head on, despite the language barrier he has faced.

“Of course language is an adjustment I’ve really had to learn,” Sisko said. “It has gotten better in the time I have been here.”

Sisko will look to improve his play at the net during his second year on campus, citing his newly-acquired American work ethic as a primary tool to bringing this goal to fruition.

“I’ve never practiced this hard in my life,” he said.

Growing up halfway across the world and around a completely different lifestyle hasn’t stopped Sisko from progressing on and off the tennis court.

“He wants to do the things he needs to do to win,” Wermer said.

Last year it was Sisko who had to learn quickly in order to survive. This season, it will be his opponents who will have to play catch-up.