Photo by: Sloane Bush/MSU Athletics
Finding 'Memo'
March 01, 2022 | Men's Tennis
STARKVILLE – Nemanja Malesevic made an immediate impact to Mississippi State's men's tennis program last year. Â
Malesevic was named the ITA Southern Region Rookie of the Year and a Freshman All-SEC selection in 2021. Based on that success, he entered the fall season ranked 36th in the country in singles.
But a wrist injury that led to subsequent surgery set him back for the beginning of his sophomore campaign. Now finally healthy, Malesevic is back to his winning ways. He has won 11 of his last 12 singles matches and nine of his last 11 doubles matches with partner Davide Tortora.
Malesevic currently leads the team with a 9-1 singles record this spring with three of his victories coming against ranked opponents.
"I'd say that I've come back as a better version of myself," Malesevic said. "You learn a lot through adversity. I think I really embraced it and really worked on myself off the court and also my forehand, serve and slice. I think I really implemented those things once I had my backhand back, which has always been my better side. I think it's really good that I went through that in the fall."
Malesevic's victories have helped him climb back into the ITA rankings as well. He is currently sitting at No. 74 in singles and is ranked 55th in doubles along with Tortora.
No matter what number is beside his name or what accolades he receives, Malesevic tries to keep a level head and his attention locked in on the things that are really important.
"I even had a situation where someone on campus came up to me and told me they saw that I was Rookie of the Year," Malesevic said. "That obviously felt good but I'm not trying to focus too much on those things. That feels good for a day or two but that's not what makes me happy. I try to improve day-by-day."
His passion, drive and inner focus are just some of the qualities that have established Malesevic as one of the team's leaders even though he is only in his second season in Starkville.
"Since the time he stepped on campus, 'Memo' has shown how motivated he is to making himself and the team the best versions of themselves they can be," said assistant coach Jake Jacoby. "From practices to matches to off the court team chemistry, he is a leader for us and it helps him grow in his confidence every day. His attention to details has allowed him to improve on and off the court quickly and become a mature, energized piece to this program."
SPEAKING SERBIAN
Malesevic hails from Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina and arrived at Mississippi State in the fall of 2020 without ever stepping foot on campus for a recruiting visit.
"It was obviously a lot different," Malesevic said. "I had to get used to everything like the food, being on a team, having a roommate and just being at a university. It was really interesting and a lot of new situations. I think that really made me grow as a person."
Malesevic admits that his English was serviceable when he first got to the United States but now feels fluent with his new language. So much so that now it feels somewhat strange to speak Serbian whenever he returns to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
 "When I go back home, I'm so used to English that it's kind of weird when I have to speak to somebody in Serbian," Malesevic said. "I've gotten used to English that much."
Another aspect Malesevic has adapted to in America is the food. And while he misses home cooked meals from his mother, Malesevic loves the ice cream and frozen yogurt available to him on "cheat days" – especially white chocolate caramel.
A SECOND HOME
Starkville and Mississippi State have become somewhat of a second home for Malesevic over the last year.
One of his favorite activities off the court is attending sporting events on campus and interacting with Bulldog fans and other student-athletes and coaches off the court.
"I really like the people here," Malesevic said. "They're really nice and friendly. Everybody is trying to help you, especially when you're an athlete. I really like the coaches and the atmosphere. I like going to other sports and seeing other athletes and what they go through. It's really special to have someone with the same mindset as you."
Armed with a year of experience competing in the Southeastern Conference and also dealing the stresses of everyday college life, a much more mature Malesevic has settled into his new surroundings this spring.
"I feel a lot different," Malesevic said. "I've already been through one season and know the ups and downs and how to manage them. I'm more experienced with school. I think I grew as a person and everything that comes my way, I handle it way easier."
Although Malesevic committed to MSU sight unseen, he can't imagine his life any other way at any other college. He has already made lifelong friends and memories and is looking forward to many more before his time as a Bulldog is complete.
"I'm super grateful that I made this decision," Malesevic said. "It's probably the best decision that I could have made. Even after only a year, I can already say that because I see myself improving and growing as a person. It's an experience that I'm going to remember for the rest of my life. I really feel at home here and have enjoyed every moment."
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Malesevic was named the ITA Southern Region Rookie of the Year and a Freshman All-SEC selection in 2021. Based on that success, he entered the fall season ranked 36th in the country in singles.
But a wrist injury that led to subsequent surgery set him back for the beginning of his sophomore campaign. Now finally healthy, Malesevic is back to his winning ways. He has won 11 of his last 12 singles matches and nine of his last 11 doubles matches with partner Davide Tortora.
Malesevic currently leads the team with a 9-1 singles record this spring with three of his victories coming against ranked opponents.
"I'd say that I've come back as a better version of myself," Malesevic said. "You learn a lot through adversity. I think I really embraced it and really worked on myself off the court and also my forehand, serve and slice. I think I really implemented those things once I had my backhand back, which has always been my better side. I think it's really good that I went through that in the fall."
Malesevic's victories have helped him climb back into the ITA rankings as well. He is currently sitting at No. 74 in singles and is ranked 55th in doubles along with Tortora.
No matter what number is beside his name or what accolades he receives, Malesevic tries to keep a level head and his attention locked in on the things that are really important.
"I even had a situation where someone on campus came up to me and told me they saw that I was Rookie of the Year," Malesevic said. "That obviously felt good but I'm not trying to focus too much on those things. That feels good for a day or two but that's not what makes me happy. I try to improve day-by-day."
His passion, drive and inner focus are just some of the qualities that have established Malesevic as one of the team's leaders even though he is only in his second season in Starkville.
"Since the time he stepped on campus, 'Memo' has shown how motivated he is to making himself and the team the best versions of themselves they can be," said assistant coach Jake Jacoby. "From practices to matches to off the court team chemistry, he is a leader for us and it helps him grow in his confidence every day. His attention to details has allowed him to improve on and off the court quickly and become a mature, energized piece to this program."
SPEAKING SERBIAN
Malesevic hails from Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina and arrived at Mississippi State in the fall of 2020 without ever stepping foot on campus for a recruiting visit.
"It was obviously a lot different," Malesevic said. "I had to get used to everything like the food, being on a team, having a roommate and just being at a university. It was really interesting and a lot of new situations. I think that really made me grow as a person."
Malesevic admits that his English was serviceable when he first got to the United States but now feels fluent with his new language. So much so that now it feels somewhat strange to speak Serbian whenever he returns to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
 "When I go back home, I'm so used to English that it's kind of weird when I have to speak to somebody in Serbian," Malesevic said. "I've gotten used to English that much."
Another aspect Malesevic has adapted to in America is the food. And while he misses home cooked meals from his mother, Malesevic loves the ice cream and frozen yogurt available to him on "cheat days" – especially white chocolate caramel.
A SECOND HOME
Starkville and Mississippi State have become somewhat of a second home for Malesevic over the last year.
One of his favorite activities off the court is attending sporting events on campus and interacting with Bulldog fans and other student-athletes and coaches off the court.
"I really like the people here," Malesevic said. "They're really nice and friendly. Everybody is trying to help you, especially when you're an athlete. I really like the coaches and the atmosphere. I like going to other sports and seeing other athletes and what they go through. It's really special to have someone with the same mindset as you."
Armed with a year of experience competing in the Southeastern Conference and also dealing the stresses of everyday college life, a much more mature Malesevic has settled into his new surroundings this spring.
"I feel a lot different," Malesevic said. "I've already been through one season and know the ups and downs and how to manage them. I'm more experienced with school. I think I grew as a person and everything that comes my way, I handle it way easier."
Although Malesevic committed to MSU sight unseen, he can't imagine his life any other way at any other college. He has already made lifelong friends and memories and is looking forward to many more before his time as a Bulldog is complete.
"I'm super grateful that I made this decision," Malesevic said. "It's probably the best decision that I could have made. Even after only a year, I can already say that because I see myself improving and growing as a person. It's an experience that I'm going to remember for the rest of my life. I really feel at home here and have enjoyed every moment."
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Players Mentioned
/ Men's Tennis
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