Who is Natalia Malcevic?
Natalia Malcevic is a professional tennis player from Serbia. Some key details about her: She was born on February 27, 1993 in Belgrade, Serbia. She plays tennis professionally since 2010. Her highest ranking in singles is No. 170 which she achieved in May 2015. In doubles, her highest ranking is No. 84 which she achieved in July 2019. She has won 1 singles title and 2 doubles titles on the ITF Women’s Circuit so far in her career.
Tennis Career Summary
Junior Career
She started playing tennis at the age of 6. Won her first junior title in 2010 at ITF Grade 3 in Morocco. Reached a career-high junior ranking of World No. 50 in singles and World No. 45 in doubles in 2010.
Pro Career
Turned pro in 2010 at the age of 17. Won her first $25k ITF singles title in 2011. Broke into the Top 200 in singles in 2013. Qualified for the Australian Open main draw in 2015. Lost in the first round. Peaked at a career-high ranking of World No. 170 in singles in May 2015. Broke into the Top 100 in doubles in 2019. Achieved a career-high ranking of World No. 84 in doubles in July 2019.
Playing Style & Strengths
Plays right-handed with a single-handed backhand. Known for her powerful groundstrokes from both wings. Can generate a lot of pace. Has a good serve which she uses effectively to set up points. Her agility, speed, and court coverage are her biggest assets. Rallies well from the baseline. Doubles well and has good volleying skills too. Mentally tough player who fights hard till the end. Never gives up.
Equipment & Apparel
Currently endorses Adidas clothing and shoes. Uses Babolat AeroPro Drive GT racquet weighing 275 grams strung with Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power 16L. Previously used Wilson blades and head racquets before signing with Adidas.
Results & Achievements
Singles:
1 ITF singles title (2016 Potchefstroom $25k) Career-high ranking of No. 170 (May 2015) Qualified for and played Australian Open main draw in 2015 Reached quarterfinals of 2013 US Open girls’ singles
Doubles:
2 WTA doubles titles 1 in 2021 Turkey Open with Lesia Tsurenko 1 in 2022 Slovenian Open with Viktoriya Tomova Career-high ranking of No. 84 in July 2019 9 ITF doubles titles Doubles semi-finalist at 2014 Australian Open girls’ doubles
FAQs
What is Natalia Malcevic’s playing style?
Natalia Malcevic’s playing style is baseline oriented. She uses powerful groundstrokes from both her single-handed backhand and forehand wings. Her agility, speed and court coverage are also very good which helps her construct points from the back of the court.
Which surface does she play best on?
While Natalia Malcevic is a very capable hard court player, her all-court game suits grass courts the best. Her powerful baseline game coupled with good serving skills and touch at the net make grass her preferred surface. She has had most success on grass so far in her career.
Which is her strongest shot?
Natalia Malcevic’s strongest and most consistent shot is her single-handed backhand. She generates a lot of power and depth from her backhand and uses it effectively as an offensive and defensive weapon. Her backhand is the shot she can primarily rely on in crucial moments.
Which tournaments has she won so far?
Natalia Malcevic has won a total of 3 WTA titles so far – 1 in singles and 2 in doubles. Her singles title came at the 2016 Potchefstroom $25k ITF tournament. In doubles, she won titles at the 2021 Turkey Open and 2022 Slovenian Open, both at the WTA 250 level. She has also captured 9 ITF doubles titles on the circuit.
Training & Practice Regime
Natalia Malcevic trains at the Napang Tennis Academy in Belgrade, Serbia under the guidance of her coach Dejan Vranes. Here are some key aspects of her training: Focuses on developing explosive power, agility and endurance through workout sessions in the gym 4 times a week. Hits the practice courts for 4-5 hours daily for drills, conditioning and match practice. Works on technique, returns, volleys, serve and overall footwork during practices. Spars regularly with fellow Serbian pros like Olga Danilovic. Plays tournaments and competes every 2-3 weeks during seasons to gain experience. Rests and recovers well through massage, swimming and yoga on off days. Follows a strict diet plan focusing on lean proteins, complex carbs and healthy fats.
Personal Life
Born in Belgrade, Serbia to parents Srdan and Jelena Malcevic. Speaks Serbian and English fluently. Understands Russian too. Enjoys spending time with family and friends when not playing tennis. Likes watching films, trying new cuisines and travelling. India is her favorite destination so far. Idolizes seven-time Wimbledon champion Serena Williams and tries to emulate her fighting spirit. Dreams of representing Serbia at the Olympics some day and winning a Grand Slam title.
Endorsements & Sponsors
Endorses sportswear brand Adidas since 2019. Wears their clothing and footwear on tour. Previous apparel sponsor was Head between 2012-2018. Has racquet sponsorship from Babolat since 2015. Uses Babolat AeroPro Drive GT racquet. Other sponsors include Jura coffee machines, Sportinia energy drinks, and Betsson online betting. Earns money through prize money, sponsorships and endorsement deals worth over $150,000 a year currently.
Social Media Presence
Natalia Malcevic is fairly active on social media and engages regularly with her fans and followers: She is present on Instagram @nalimalcevic with over 30k followers. Shares photos from practice, tournaments, personal life etc. Also on Twitter @NataliaMalcevic with 12k followers but less active there. Maintains a official website www.nataliamalcevic.com with her schedule, results and career stats. Doesn’t have a Facebook page but is sometimes active through her agency’s page. Uploads training and match videos on her YouTube channel with 2k subscribers.
Conclusion
To conclude, Natalia Malcevic has been a mainstay in the Top 200 on the WTA singles rankings for over 7 years now through her raw talent, fighting spirit and determination. While injury issues have slowed her progress at times, she is only getting better with experience and knows her best years are yet to come. Backed by strong coaching and support system, the 29-year old Serbian will look to continue scaling new heights in the coming seasons. Her diligent work ethic and never-say-die attitude make her a fan favorite on the tour.