Hope International University is pleased to announce the hiring of Rajko Mladenovic as the new Head Men's and Women's Tennis Coach effective immediately. Mladenovic takes over the reins of the Men's program for which he has spent the last four years serving up aces and returning volleys from the baseline. He is no stranger to the women's program after serving as their assistant coach just a season ago.


Mladenovic takes over the tennis programs from his coach of one year and former teammate Felix Haufe. Under Coach Haufe, the Royals produced their first two NAIA All-Americans in tennis (Mladenovic and Bettina Radke).


Athletic Director Aaron Siefker said, "We are very excited about Rajko making the transition from a Hope International Tennis Player to a Hope International Tennis Coach. He has been a fine example of what it means to be a Christian student athlete. I am confident that he will lead our tennis programs with the same drive and passion that he showed as a player."


As a player, Mladenovic finished his four year career with 55 wins in singles play -- an HIU tennis record. As a senior, he was named a 2009 NAIA All-American after posting a 15-8 record.


In 2008, he led the Royals to a National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) National Championship. He was named an NCCAA Singles All-American for his play at the national tournament.


Born and raised in Serbia, Mladenovic has been playing tennis since the age of eight. By the age of fifteen, he was playing under legendary coach Srdjan Daskovic.


Mladenovic credits his family (Radomir, Bozana, and Mihajlo) for his success in life. He stated "My family is very important to me, and without their support I could never succeed in my life and career."


Founded in 1928, Hope International University is a private Christian University comprised of two schools: Pacific Christian College and the School of Graduate & Professional Studies. The University provides students with a leadership and ethics focused education through undergraduate and graduate programs in business, education, ministry, music, psychology and counseling, human development and more. Total University enrollment is approximately 1700 students representing 35 states and 40 countries.