As the school year comes to an end, seniors begin to look back at their time in Madison. Among those graduating this spring will be Marek Michalicka, the lone senior on the UW men’s tennis team, whose collegiate career may have just come to a close.
As Wisconsin played host to the Big Ten Tournament, Michalicka was able to play potentially his final match at home.
But Minnesota’s Tobias Wernet proved to be a difficult opponent, and Michalicka admitted he had trouble keeping his composure.
“My mentality was off; it was hard to stay focused during the big points,” Michalicka said. “Especially when it was 5-1 and I was serving and I gave him the break then couldn’t break back. Staying focused during those big points is always hard.”
Unfortunately for the Badgers, Michalicka wasn’t the only one who struggled with No. 3 seed Minnesota, and they ended their season with a 4-0 loss. Seeming gloomy, it was obvious the always-smiling Michalicka was having a hard time coming to terms with reality.
“You always think it might be the last match playing for the Badgers,” he said. “For me it was hard to try to stop those thoughts in doubles and singles. They kept distracting me while I was playing, hard to think that this might be it.”
A Czech Republic native, Michalicka grew within the UW system and could not be more respected by his teammates and coaches.
“It’s been great to coach him. Like I’ve said in the past, he’s one of those athletes that gives it his all no matter what area it is, whether he’s in the classroom, tennis court, conditioning or practicing. It’s been a pleasure to coach him, and I wish him the best. Hopefully he’ll make the NCAAs and have some more tennis left,” head coach Greg Van Emburgh said of his only senior.
Ranked No. 57 in the nation for singles play, Michalicka was not only a role model on the court, but off as well. Being at the top of such a young team is not easy, but Michalicka made it seem so.
“I think he’s been a great role model,” Van Emburgh said. “I don’t think I could ask for a better leader, captain, role model to have on the team. He gives it his all. It really matters; everything matters to him. It really hurts him today to lose, and I wish him the best. You couldn’t ask for a better leader.”
So, with the Big Ten tournament over, what does the future look like for the Badgers?
As far as NCAAs go, Van Emburgh doesn’t seem too confident, but he’s proud of how far his team has come.
And what about the soon to be graduated, Marek Michalicka?
“Well, it’s still open if I play NCAAs. If I won today I probably had a better chance to get in, but I didn’t so it’s not up to me now. I just have to wait,” Michalicka said. “After I graduate? I don’t know. I’ll probably go home, play some tournaments during the summer then maybe go back to school. See if I can get in a program and get my master’s.”
Whether the NCAAs are within his future or not, Michalicka is proud of the legacy he’ll leave behind at Wisconsin.
But saying goodbye won’t be easy.
“I really enjoyed it. It’s been a lot of fun. If I had the choice again today I would choose the UW all over again,” Michalicka said. “When I’m back home I’ll definitely be thinking about Wisconsin.”