Savin Named Men's Tennis Assistant Coach

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Men’s tennis head coach Jay Udwadia has named former Utah State standout Roko Savin as his new assistant coach.

Savin joins the coaching staff after a successful four-year career as a player at Utah State and reunites with Associate Head Coach Hunter Nicholas. Savin played under Nicholas his first three seasons at Utah State with Nicholas serving as the Assistant Coach.

“We are fired up to have Roko with our program as an Assistant Coach,” Nicholas said. “I had the privilege of coaching Roko for three years at Utah State. His joy for tennis, work ethic, and coachability as a player will greatly benefit our team and the development of Razorback tennis. I am excited to be working together with him again and can’t wait to see his growth as a coach!”

Savin finished his time as an Aggie in the top 15 of multiple program record lists, including eighth in fall doubles victories (18), ninth in dual singles wins (37), 10th in overall singles victories (51) and 13th in combined wins (86). Savin recorded double-digit victories in singles and doubles in two of his final three years at Utah State, including a 21-14 mark in singles during the 2022-23 season.

In his final season as an Aggie, Savin achieved overall records of 21-14 in singles and 14-8 in doubles. During the fall season, Savin won five consecutive singles matches and opened the dual season with three straight singles victories along with a four-match doubles winning streak. Savin competed primarily on court four during the dual season where he finished with a 10-8 singles record in addition to a 6-4 mark on court three in doubles. At the end of his senior season, Savin received recognition as a member of the CSC Academic All-District team, the Academic All-Mountain West team and as an ITA Scholar-Athlete.

During his junior season, Savin posted respective records of 16-13 in singles and 6-9 in doubles. Savin went 10-9 in dual singles matches while playing at the No. 3, 4 and 5 positions. Savin closed the year on a three-match singles winning streak and held a 1-1 record during the dual season in doubles. Savin earned Academic All-Mountain West honors and was also named a Joe E. and Elma Whitesides Scholar-Athlete.

In 2020-21, Savin was a mainstay in the Utah State lineup on courts three and four in singles and with partners Souf El Mesbahi and Jack Ninteman at the No. 2 and 3 positions in doubles. Savin had a seven-match winning streak from March 8-April 3 with each victory coming in straight sets. Savin finished the year with an 11-9 singles record and a 10-8 doubles record. Savin was named a Joe E. and Elma Whitesides Scholar-Athlete and obtained ITA Scholar-Athlete honors to close his sophomore season.

As a freshman, Savin posted a 3-8 overall record in singles play with all dual matches coming on courts three through six. Savin won three of his final four singles matches in the spring and recorded a 4-7 mark in dual doubles matches at the No. 1, 2 and 3 positions. At the end of the season, Savin collected Academic All-Mountain West honors and was named an ITA Scholar-Athlete.

Before arriving at Utah State, Savin was the Croatian national champion as a U12, U14, U16 and U18 player. Savin was ranked in the top-30 among European tennis players as a U14 and U16 and competed on the Junior Davis Cup team twice. Savin has been ranked as high as No. 1644 in the ATP Singles Rankings.