THE OLDEST AND LARGEST SERBIAN НАЈСТАРИЈИ И НАЈВЕЋИ СРПСКИ NEWSPAPER IN AMERICA ЛИСТ У АМЕРИЦИ PUBLISHED SEMI-MONTHLY ИСЛАСИ ДВОНЕДЕЉНО Offcial Organ of ЗВАНИЧНИ ОРГАН SERB NATIONAL FEDERATION СРПСКОГ НАРОДНОГ САВЕЗА

VOL., MMVXV, 16771 www.snfife.org

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2015 AMERICANSRBOBRAN (USPS 023-400) 615 Iron City Drive, Suite 302, Pittsburgh, PA 15205 Serbs Shine Bright in

by Milos Rastovic an Fed Cup and Olympic Team. Playing for the Serbian Fed Cup, for the CINCINNATI, OH - I had a great oppor- frst time was placed in the Word Group tunity to be present on behalf of the Serb 1 in women tennis. At the press confer- National Federation at the Master Cup ence, Jankovic pointed out her pride play- Tennis Tournament Southern & Western ling for the Serbian tennis national team: Open in Cincinnati last August to follow “I played for my Serbian national team for almost all of the Serbian national tennis about 12 years. We started there [Euro/ team which includes , Africa group] and we made it to the fnals Jelena Jankovic, Ana Ivanovic, Nenad of the Fed Cup…Sharing those wins with Zimonjic and . It was amaz- teammates and just overall experiencing ing to watch all these wonderful players those moments it’s completely differ- and to be proud of their success and ent when you’re alone on the court and heritage. playing for yourself and then playing with your teammates and for your country. It’s When I came to the Western & South- unbelievable. Sharing the wins and the ern Open Tournament, I was following losses together, it’s a special teamwork Novak Djokovic’s training, matches, and and a special feeling. I love playing for press conferences and was given the my country. I will always give my best.” 2 opportunity to present to him an hon- orary membership in the Serb National After the Press Conference, I got an in- Federation. Besides Djokovic, Jelena terview from her for the American Srbo- Jankovic, also from Serbia and current- bran. I explained to her that the American ly ranked 22nd by the Women’s Tennis Jelena Jankovic Srbobran is the oldest Serbian news- Association, had an extraordinary tour- paper in North America since 1906 and nament in Cincinnati. She reached the It’s nice to see that, and I appreciate that years of age. Her parents are Veselin about the Serb National Federation. She semifnal match against Romanian Si- very much. They are out there, cheering and Snezana, and her older brother Mar- was very gracious and charming during mona Halep, WTA #2. At the press con- and really pushing me on when times get ko is her current coach. As a junior, she the interview. Because she played for ference about this tournament, Jankovic tough out there. I love it. I love battling won the Australia Open in 2001 and be- the Serbian National Team many times, and I love being out there. It’s a great at- came the No. 1 junior player in the world. said: “I have a lot of support. You always 1 I asked her how much that had meant to love coming back to places you’ve played mosphere.” In 2008, she was the top ranked player in her. well, that you have had great results in the WTA. She won the Wimbledon Grand the past. I really love playing here in Cin- Jelena Jankovic was born in Belgrade, Slam title in mixed doubles with Jamie cinnati…The fans are very supportive. Serbia, and began playing tennis at nine Murray in 2007. She played for the Serbi- continued on page 12

1 ASAP Sports, “An interview with Jelena Jankovic”, at asapsports.com, August 21 and 22, 2015. 2 ASAP Sports, “An interview with Jelena Jankovic”, at asapsports.com, August 21 and 22, 2015. ROCKIN’ & BOWLIN’ IS A MEMORY

Good golly, Miss Molly—we were fnd your tamburashi draped in neon col- two were heartily enjoyed by many. the banquet included the California Serb bowling in Milwaukee in October. ored feather boas as they sang to you? women winning big, as well as one of Mil- That’s what happened to Ponovo—and We had bowlers from all over the country waukee’s own, Kathy Petrovich, taking We had a small but lively tournament—95 they never missed a beat. join with Milwaukee Serbs to have a good team bowlers, 46 doubles and singles time. Let’s not forget Rudi and Zoran’s home many prizes. Look for specifc re- bowlers and 19 teams. We all bowled Memories for some will include a Sat- ribs—fnger lickin’ good!! sults in your Srbobran. singles and doubles in one shift on Satur- urday afternoon trip to Old Town Serbi- day. With Ponovo giving us music to bowl an Gourmet House for more music and Memories for others will include the Sun- Milwaukee is grateful for all who traveled by, fun was had by all. There were some delicious food. A large group of bowlers day banquet, where Val Medich Sr . was good scores, too! enjoyed their impromptu trip to one of presented with the Peter Drobac Sports- to our fair city to bowl, make memories Milwaukee’s fnest Serbian restaurants. manship Award for his dedication to the and new friends. We worked hard to Sunday found all teams at the New Berlin What a great way to while away an af- sport of bowling, both in and out of the show you all a good time and look for- Ale House. Where else, but at an SNF ternoon! SNF. Peter’s youngest daughter, Linda ward to hosting another SNF event in the tournament, can you sing, dance and Drobac Rehfeld, presented Val with his bowl to your favorite Serbian melodies? Other memories will include evenings at trophy and a hug and kiss. Val was hum- future. Puno Hvala to all! And where else, but at a tournament with our Cultural Center. Kolo dancing, sing- ble in his acceptance and his son, Val Jr., fun-loving and spirited teams, would you ing, great food and sweets and a beer or spoke on his behalf. Other moments at Pictures on page 10 12 AMERICAN SRBOBRAN • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2015 Serbs Shine Bright in Tennis continued from page 1 played her Serbian pride, as the UNICEF bles in 2008 when he won his frst Grand How many supporters do you get from National Ambassador to Serbia named in Slam title with Daniel Nestor. He played - “I have played for Serbia for 12 years, the Serbian Diaspora in America? 2007, in many occasions. for the Serbian National Team during the from the lowest categories and we came Davis Cup a number of times. In 2013, he to the fnals. I won two awards, and I left - “There a lot of Serbian people who sup- Her teammate, Ana Ivanovic, WTA#6, received the Davis Cup Award of Excel- my heart on a tennis court. I love team port us throughout the world. I am very also played great games during the tour- lence. He is married to Mina Knezevic in work, and it is an amazing feeling to play grateful for that support, and I am very nament. She reached the quarterfnal 2008, and they have two kids. for your country, bring wins, to be part of glad when I hear our language and our against Serena Williams, WTA#1. She the team, and share loses and wins with people support us. My heart is full. I am had a lot of Serbian supporters during her Viktor Troicki, ATP #25, is also a great other players. I love and enjoy that. It is an that kind of player who likes to play when matches and like Jankovic, she showed Serbian tennis player who reached the absolutely different feeling when you play supporters are loud. They give me wind her determination to fght and win. Iva- frst round of the tournament. He played for yourself and when you play for your to my back, motivate and inspire me in novic started to play tennis at age four on Serbia’s Davis Cup team and reached country. Playing for your country is team some diffcult and hard moments of a when she watched Monica Seles, anoth- fnal in 2010. His best ranking in the world responsibility and comes with a kind of match so I can go beyond my limits, fght er Serbian tennis player, whom she ad- was ATP #12 in 2011. pressure that I like. So many years I have to the end, and win a match.” mired. Ivanovic won the title played and given myself more beyond my at the Roland Garros in France in 2008 All the Serbian tennis players got extraor- limits to help the team to win. I think that What message do you have to young and became No. 1 player in the world. As we are a very qualitative national team Serbian-Americans who for some rea- Jankovic, she played in the Serbian Fed dinary support from the audience at the and that we can do a lot in the future.” son may have started to lose contact with Cup Team many times. She was named tournament. their cultural heritage and homeland? the UNICEF National Ambassador to When you represented your country, you Serbia for child safety in schools in 2007. We can be proud how they represent- promoted a positive picture of Serbia. - “It is very important to preserve your Nenad Zimonjic, ATP #6 in doubles, had ed their cultural heritage and country What is the most important thing in pro- identity, to be yourself and consistent. I great reason to celebrate at the Western with sportsmanship and integrity. They moting Serbia that you always do in your am Serbian and I love my country. I hold & Southern Open Tournament. Like No- have already proved themselves as the career? my head up high, play tennis around the vak Djokovic, Zimonjic also reached the best Serbian Ambassadors in the world. world, and I am proud to be Serbian and fnal match but in doubles with Marcin Wherever they go, whatever they do, we - “I think that tennis players are among on country from which I come.” Matkowski. The audience was cheering can be proud of them. The Serb Nation- the best ambassadors of our country. It them during their match. It was a plea- al Federation will continue to support our is really amazing what we achieve in this After the interview, I congratulated and sure to watch them on the court and see great Serbian Ambassadors. sport. With our talent and behavior we try thanked her. She was very polite and their strength and watch them win. Zi- to present our country in the world in the still full of Serbian pride playing for the monjic started to play tennis at age nine. Translation from Serbian into English, best way.” National Team of Serbia. She also dis- He was the No. 1 tennis player in dou- and photos by Milos Rastovic

Marcin Matkowski and Nenad Zimonjic Novak Djokovic Ana Ivanovic (Photo by Dragan Veselinov)

Jelena Jankovic with Milos Rastovic of the SNF; Nenad Zimonjic; Viktor Troicki for the American Srbobran. Photos by Milos Rastovic.