Reuters
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Matija Pecotic might have to consider quitting his day job after the full-time financial professional stunned former world No. 8 Jack Sock in his ATP Tour main-draw debut at the Delray Beach Open on Tuesday.
The 33-year-old Croatian qualifier, who is Director of Capital Markets for Wexford Real Estate Investors – a subsidiary of the $4 billion investment firm Wexford Capital – rallied to beat Sock 4-6 6-2 6-2.
Pecotic reached a career high ranking of No. 206 in 2015, but temporarily retired from the sport due to complications following stomach surgery. He then attended Harvard Business School, where he rediscovered his love for the game.
Pecotic sealed the win in front of his boss, who is an old friend of his coach, Dominik Hrbaty.
“I had to leave work early today,” Pecotic joked. “I had to send an email to the whole team. My boss let me go. I’ll have to ask for another day off tomorrow.
The world number 784, who next meets Marcos Giron, said the opening round victory over Sock was unexpected, but he did not approach the match as he felt he had no chance.
“You have to be realistic,” Pecotic said.
“This is a former top 10 man with incredible tennis experience and tremendous serve. He came out at 134 mph on the first serve. It would be arrogant to think I’m coming out and expecting to win.
“But I thought if I could sink my teeth into the match and work on the two or three cartridges I had prepared earlier that I would have a chance.”
