This article is part of the special feature “20 Years of Montenegrin Sport”. The full publication is available at the link.
Tennis became my path, my challenge and my way of life from an early age. It has been shaped by hard work and by moments that form not only an athlete, but also a person. I began to show a passion for competition and proving myself in sport while I was still very young. Even as a little girl, I understood the significance of representing Montenegro in competition and what it meant to stand beside our flag and proudly compete under it. I have to go back to what now seems a long time ago – 2006, when, in July of that year, I represented Montenegro for the first time at the European Championships. Back then, it was a little Danka on the court, but with the same passion that I still carry every time I compete today.
Throughout my career, I have had many opportunities to compete under our flag, both as a junior and later at senior level. I have particularly fond memories of my first Grand Slam appearance in Paris in 2014. That year marked a historic moment for Montenegrin tennis. I should also mention 2015, another successful year on the court, when I broke into the world’s top 100. However, what stands out most from that year was competing at the Games of the Small States of Europe, where I travelled for the first time as part of the Montenegrin team alongside athletes from many other sports. In addition to the many medals we won in Iceland that year, I especially enjoyed the atmosphere within the team, the sense of unity and the support we gave one another.
The Olympic Games have left an unforgettable mark on my career. Competing in Rio was the fulfilment of a childhood dream. Carrying Montenegro’s flag in Paris 2024 was confirmation that I have endured, that hard work and discipline always bring results. For me, they brought the opportunity to leave a historic mark and to live my dream.
I have always seen the Olympic spirit as a symbol of unity, respect and perseverance. That is why representing Montenegro is not just a sporting responsibility – it is a privilege that inspires me to give my very best every single time. I have always felt the support of my homeland, wherever I have played and no matter how far away I have been. That support and love have never been absent. I come from a small country with a big heart, and I feel that strength every time I step onto the court. Every match carries with it a part of home – the people who believe in me and the country that I am proud to represent.
