By Joey Johnston
 
Vanja Klaric, the new assistant coach for USF women's tennis, said she has a natural way to inspire her players. She can simply tap into her experience as a Bulls standout from 2015-19.
 
"I have walked in their shoes,'' Klaric said. "I have been here as an international player. I think I can bring that experience, and in some sense that wisdom, and translate that to them. Every student-athlete goes through challenges each day. It's a tough four years. I think I can bring some things they might understand and relate to.''
 
That's precisely what USF coach Cristina Moros had in mind when she hired Klaric, her former player.
 
Klaric, a Serbian who grew up in South Africa, already was in place when Moros was hired for the 2015-16 season. Moros was immediately taken by Klaric's approach, particularly during USF's American Athletic Conference championship season in 2017.
 
"Beautiful serve and probably one of the best backhands I have ever coached … but her mental approach and overall demeanor just stood out so much,'' Moros said. "She had a quiet toughness that was very mature for her age. Very competitive, very driven.
 
"She seemed quiet, but you could see the respect she commanded because of her work ethic. As she got older and more confident, she was someone you could bounce ideas off. I remember moments when she said something that made me think. So in a way, even back then, I could maybe visualize her in a coaching role one day.''
 
Moros filed all of that away.
 
In the offseason, when Moros searched for an assistant coach, Klaric called from her native Serbia because she wanted to continue her education and needed proof of her USF degree. Moros steered the conversation in another direction: Would you like to coach at USF?
 
Klaric was initially stunned. But once her surprise dissipated, her answer was clear:
 
Yes!
 
Now Klaric, best known as a grinding counter-puncher who would stay on the court all day if necessary, loves her new opportunity to help shape the new generation of USF players.
 
"It's huge any time you can hire an alum because they have a great investment in the program,'' Moros said. "She has a lot of motivation to get this program to places where we both think it can go. She has the perspective of being a student-athlete at USF and the perspective of what it's like to play for me. So I believe she will be a tremendous resource for our players as well as somebody they can really lean on for all situations, on and off the court. I think our players will see an extension of themselves in Vanja, who has a leadership position, and that's really powerful.''
 
Klaric played some professional tennis, then began a business career and planned on pursuing a graduate degree. Now she's back in the tennis environment and that could be her future. She earned a psychology degree at USF and she believes it will be useful as a coach.
 
"I'm interested in how a player reacts emotionally to a performance, how they think, how they prepare,'' Klaric said. "I think I can help in those areas. Different personalities, different reactions … all of that is interesting to me and it's something a coach has to be aware of.
 
"I think at the end of the day, the most important thing for a coach is to build that trust with the player so you can help them get through whatever lies in front of them. I can be a coach, maybe more of a peer at times, a good bridge to Cristina and what she wants. I am really looking forward to it and getting back to the sport and school that I love.''
 
About Women's Tennis
Be sure to follow USF women's tennis on social media (Twitter / Facebook / Instagram) and visit GoUSFBulls.com for the most up-to-date information. Head coach Cristina Moros will be in her seventh year at the helm, as she led the program to an American Athletic Conference Championship in 2017.