The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com

Thursday, April 10, 2008- 11A

'Maravic's success comes from fire, mind

By MICHAEL BERTENTHAL
Daily Sports Writer
Matko Maravic isn't as quick as
his opponents.
His serve isn't as fast.
And his volley isn't as strong.
But everyone who talks about the
senior captain mentions the intan-
gibles: fiery intensity, unwavering
pride and especially cerebral adjust-
ments.
"Most of the players he plays
against at No. 1 singles have better
skills than him," Michigan coach
Bruce Berque said. "But he's smart.
It's notuncommon forhimto switch
back and forth between serving or
volleying and standing well behind
the baseline and playing total
defense, wearing somebody out."
Maravic agrees: "I don't always
have the skills of other players out

there. But one of the things I've
learned is just being able to adjust
to my opponents and make the shots
they are most uncomfortable with."
But before Maravic learned how
to take his opponents out of their
comfort level, he had to learn how
to make himself comfortable on the
hard court.
During his childhood in Europe,
Maravic played on clay courts,
where he was used to sliding on the
surface. It wasn't until his first high
school match in the United States on
an exchange programthathe played
on hard court.
He had to change his entire
game.
After returningto Croatia, know-
ing that many of his new American
friends were headed to Ann Arbor,
he applied to the University strictly
in hopes of receiving a good educa-

tion.
Once accepted, attending Michi-
gan became an opportunity he
couldn't turn down - a chance to
learn a new language and culture
and continue playingtennis.
But with this opportunity came
challenges for Maravic that tested
his ability to once again adjust. At
times, he struggled to balance ten-
nis and the rigorous grind of the Ste-
phen M. Ross School of Business.
"There have been many occasions
in the past in practice where I can
tell he's been very sleep-deprived,"
Berque said. "He just wants to do
well at everything he does so badly
that sometimes he gets worn down
when itgets to a busy time in school.
This year, he's matured and is now
at a really good point mentally by
managing his stress level."
Said Maravic: "I just enjoy being

in the Tennis Center and checking
out all the banners of the people
that wentthrough the program who
did amazing things. It has driven
me to work hard, especially senior
year, because I want to leave a good
legacy."
Berque believes Maravic has
already achieved that. Then again,
Berque has a particularly special
spot for Maravic in his heart.
Maravic is the only player who
has been at Michigan for all of Ber-
que's four years at the helm, giving
Berque the chance to observe his
maturation.
"To be honest, when I first
watched him practice, I thought he
was okay," Berque said. "But I had
no idea that this would turn out to
be one of the most successful play-
ers at Michigan in a decade and one
of the only All Americans."

Senior Matko Maravic may not be the biggest, fastest or strongest but his ability
make quick adjustments on the court allows him to stay ahead of his opponents.

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