Article

  • Ancic Earns Law Degree

    4/17/08 5:21 PM | Ricky Dimon
    - Mario Ancic, taking a brief break from what has been a solid start to his tennis season, earns a law degree from the University of Split in his native Croatia.

    Mario Ancic, ranked No. 54 in the world and enjoying a strong return from various injuries so far in 2008, enjoyed a huge victory off the court on Monday, becoming a graduate of the University of Split Law School. The 24-year-old Croat began his law studies back in 2002 and became a full-time student for much of last year as he was forced off the tennis court by physical problems.

    That blessing in disguise came to fruition earlier this week when Ancic delivered a 45-minute thesis (his written work was 68 pages long) on “ATP Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow,” documenting the legal foundation and organization of the ATP Tour. Ancic wrote the thesis in Croatian but will eventually have it translated into English and distributed to anyone who wants to read it.

    For the 6'5'' Ancic, this journey was not just a way of merely passing the time while he could not play tennis. No, instead Ancic could not be more serious about his studies and the opportunities they will afford him in his life after tennis.

    “It's something that can open many doors after my tennis career and I hope to play eight to 10 more years,” said Ancic. “I would like to put together the sport and law that I like much and hopefully help the interests of the players.

    "It is so important," he added. "Last year I had a lot of problems, and one day, it shows you what will you do when you're not going to be playing tennis. You never know what could happen the next day. It's something that's going to stay with me for my lifetime."

    Ancic is so proud and aware of his accomplishment's importance that he is prepared to put it even ahead of tennis. The graduation ceremony is set for sometime next month--in the heart of the clay-court swing--but Ancic will be there regardless of where he is on the tennis scene. "Wherever I am, that one day I will be there for sure in my cap and gown."

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