After contributing to the men’s tennis team’s victory over the University of Pennsylvania on Saturday by snapping Hicham Laalej’s nine-match winning streak at the No. 1 singles spot, sophomore Matija Pecotic sat down to reflect on the last few months. Known on campus for his charm and humor, Pecotic is a native of Malta who graduated high school in 2007. After competing internationally for a year after high school, Pecotic spent another year working with a local organization for children with Down syndrome and autism, simultaneously honing his tennis skills.
He entered the Class of 2013 and immediately made a strong impact on the tennis team. This year, Pecotic has continued to play well, reaching the singles finals in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Regional Tournament in the fall. He looks to continue this success as he vies for an Ivy League championship with the team this spring.
Q: What’s the biggest difference between the United States and Malta?
A: The concept of leisure. I’m comparing Princeton and Malta, not really America and Malta, but people don’t really spend three hours at dinner on a weeknight here. It’s definitely a faster-paced lifestyle.
Q: What do you do for fun in Malta?
A: SPEAR. GIANT. TUNA.
Q: Who’s your quirkiest teammate and why?
A: [Sophomore] Michael Lin. Why? Because his answers make no sense. He answers quantitative questions with “perhaps,” “maybe” and “I don’t know.” His cheekbone structure is also second to none.
Q: Does anyone else have nicknames on your team?
A: [Sophomore Matt] Spindler is “Big Bird” — just look at him. Lin is “Ling-Sung-Hu,” and [junior] Ravi [Yegya-Raman] is “The Machine.”
Q: What’s your nickname?
A: I prefer not to discuss that.
Q: Do you have any sayings on the court?
A: “SpraJcR,” "LessTakeIt," "He doesn't even want it," "Ohhh, he's just giving it to me," "LessGO," "Yup," "ForZa," "VenGa," "Idemo," "Seeee yaaaaaa," "Back on Offense," "Clean the Line."
Q: What does that mean?
A: Don’t worry about it.
Q: Do you have any groupies?
A: Not as many as Yohei. He's constantly surrounded by his followers, Gwen Stefani-style.
Actually, I do. They're these two cute old ladies from, like, Class of 1642 or something. They're always at the home matches and they are by far my wildest supporters!
Q: Have you ever had your heart broken?
A: Yes, but more importantly, I had my nose broken three times.
Q: What do you see yourself doing in 10 years?
A: Finishing my senior year. I'm kidding — married; raising my three children in the south of France.
Q: If you were stuck on an island with one of your teammates and an attractive female, who would you want that teammate to be?
A: It would have to be [junior] Yohei [Shoji]. He doesn’t talk very much.
Q: Which one of your teammates would you definitely not want to be there?
A: Matt Spindler. He knows why.
Q: What’s the scariest thing you’ve ever done?
A: Probably stealing Clif Bars and Gatorades from the women’s tennis team after their head coach told us to never even think of doing it.
Q: Blondes or brunettes?
A: Redheads. Older redheads.
Q: What’s the worst class you’ve taken at Princeton?
A: I’m currently taking "psych stats," [PSY 251: Quantitative Methods]. What a joke-fest.
Q: Who’s your favorite tennis player?
A: Rafael Nadal. I have seriously considered tattooing him on my body.
Q: Are you currently on the prowl?
A: There’s one girl who has recently stolen my heart on this campus.
Q: What’s the craziest thing a fan has ever done for you?
A: Given birth.
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