A part-time tennis player and full-time real estate professional beat former world No. 8 male player Delray Beach Open in Florida on Tuesday.
Matija Pekotic of Croatia defeats Jack Sock reached No. 8 in the world in November 2017, going on to the round of 16 in three sets.
Jack Sock hits a forehand during the Dallas Open on February 6, 2023 at Stylinger/Altec Tennis Complex in Dallas, Texas. (George Walker / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Pekotik, 33, is a director real estate investment firm And said that he would have to take some time off from work in order to compete.
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“I had to leave work early today,” Pekotick said, according to ESPN. “I had to send an email to the whole team. [My boss] Leave me I’ll have to ask for another day off tomorrow.”
The 33-year-old had reached a world ranking of 206 in 2015 but was battling complications following a surgery.
Matija Pekotic competes during the qualifying round of the Delray Beach Open on February 12, 2023 in Florida. (Aaron Gilbert / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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He hit 10 aces during the match to beat Sok 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 on Tuesday.
Sock has 180 wins in his career with earnings of nearly $12 million.
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“You have to be realistic,” Pekotik said. “this is a former top-10 man With incredible tennis experience and a great service. He came out at 134 mph on the first serve. It would be presumptuous to think that I am going to come out and expect to win.
Matija Pekotic competes during the qualifying round of the Delray Beach Open on February 12, 2023 in Florida. (Aaron Gilbert / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
“But I figured if I could sink my teeth into a match and work the two or three patterns I had drawn earlier, I was going to have a chance.”
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Pekotick says he tries to train with his real estate boss every morning and loves the game of tennis.
His next opponent is American Marcos Giron, who is ranked No. 55 in the world.