Lausanne, Switzerland, June 9, 2019 – Serbia’s Tijana Boskovic sat down with fivb.com to talk about the sport that started her athletic career, her early successes and her rise to volleyball stardom.
Boskovic started her athletic career by practising karate at a young age, but recalls that volleyball was always her preferred sport.
“I had no doubts about pursuing volleyball,” Boskovic said. “Because of my height, it was ideal for me to be in volleyball or basketball. However, in my hometown there were no basketball clubs, so volleyball was the only option.
“I practiced karate just for a couple of years, but I was not able to participate in many competitions, unlike volleyball wherein we competed all the time. And I like to compete, so I chose volleyball.”
Boskovic moved out of her parents’ home to be in Belgrade and follow up on her dream of becoming a national team player.
“I moved out in 2011 at age 14 and my sister was 17,” Boskovic said. “It was not so difficult for me to move away from my parents because I was with my sister and we had many relatives in Belgrade. I was surrounded by family and never felt too far away from home. I spent four years in Belgrade before moving to Turkey.”
She made her debut in the Serbian junior team in 2013 and felt that part of her vision was beginning to unfold.
“I had a great stint in the youth team,” she said. “My childhood dream was to play for the senior national team. I followed both our men’s and women’s national teams and I have always admired them. By the end of 2013, I became part of the senior team and I was delighted.
“After winning the European Championship gold in the junior division, medals began to pile up. The invitation to join the senior team came as a surprise for me because I was not prepared for it. I joined the team a couple of days later to play some friendly matches, and then we went to Italy to compete at the European Championship.”
Boskovic made quite a stir as a 17-year-old girl with her sensational playing performances at the senior level.
“To be honest, I did not expect to play,” she said. “I even joked with my friends that they would only see me during national anthems. And it was strange that I ended up being fielded on the court in the first match of the European Championship against Turkey. This was how it all started and the rest is history.”
Boskovic’s career has seen her rise quickly up the ranks, but the young opposite spiker considers the great atmosphere in the team is the driving force behind their success.
“Our team has a very healthy atmosphere all around and this is very important for the final result,” the left-handed Boskovic said.
She was a two-time most outstanding player in Europe and her biggest successes so far were the silver medal at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro and the FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship title victory last year in Japan, where she also won Most Valuable Player honours.
“Seven months have passed from this historic success and I am very happy and proud to have been part of it. The feeling is wonderful and I wish everyone could experience it at least once.
“Unfortunately we didn’t have much time to celebrate because we immediately entered the club season and faced new challenges. Once again we have convened in the national team and there are new goals to achieve.”
Boskovic and her teammates are aiming to perform well in competitions this year.
“I am glad that we have so many girls coming from the national championship that got a chance to prove themselves at this VNL tournament.”
Boskovic’s faith in the system of the Serbian team could help bring home more medals.
“We will do our best, that I can promise. I believe in us and I don’t see any reason why we wouldn’t continue this way in the future.”
Serbia have won five and lost four matches ahead of action in week 4 of the 2019 women's FIVB Volleyball Nations League and are currently ranked eighth. They will take on pool hosts Japan, Thailand and Brazil in week 4 from June 11 to 13.
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