Teen Phenom Borna Coric Has What it Takes To Be the ATP’s Next Superstar

Shortly after Croatian star Borna Coric had defeated American Jack Sock in the fifth and decisive rubber at the Davis Cup quarterfinal in Beaverton, Oregon, he arrived at the press conference wearing a T-shirt that read, “Shut Up And Run.”

It was fitting for the no-nonsense attack the 19-year-old delivered.

Coric held the baseline, ran down nearly every ball and powdered aggressive groundstrokes on both sides of the court. The bigger the moment, the more energy he delivered, pumping his fist and directing his eyes to the small, boisterous Croatian contingent in the west stands.

Later, Coric told the media that this is what he plays for.

“You know, I have to be honest, I like that kind of situation,” he said. “I like it more than playing on the Court 27 somewhere, you know, somewhere far away from the crowd, the people.

“I just like big stage more, when it’s more important. When I have more pressure, you know, when the expectations are big, I like those occasions. I think that’s what we’re training for. That’s what I like. That’s what I enjoy.”

Indeed. Coric has now won two consecutive times when Croatia was faced with a fifth and deciding rubber, turning the trick four months earlier against 2015 runner-up Belgium.

This is just the beginning of what could be a sensational career, and by all indications, it’s not going to be long before he makes more succinct statements on and off the tennis court.

Unafraid to Compete at the Highest Level

There’s nothing timid about the way Coric approaches his tennis.

He’s 6’1” with muscular legs and a thick chest. He concentrates with each practice ball while spotting his serve on the outer edge of the box or down the “T.” Repetition fuels his appetite, and by match time, he’s eager to unleash his skills.

Coric is more than a grinder. He looks for his shots on each side of the court, especially relishing the angles and precision of his star-level backhand. Time and again against John Isner and Sock, he held the upper hand when he turned the rallies into ad-court exchanges. Isner escaped, but Sock was victimized.

“The big points I was going for it, you know,” Coric said. “As soon as I had a small chance, I was going for the shots. I wasn’t waiting for him (Sock) to …

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