Tijana Boskovic speaks about her personality and her unforgettable experiences with Eczacıbaşı Sports Club and the Serbian National Team in an interview she gave to the Italian volleyball website "Volley News".
(Original interview: https://www.volleynews.it/tijana-boskovic-la-pressione-non-mi-spaventa-anzi-mi-da-la-carica/ )
Tijana, let’s start from the very beginning. What are your first memories playing volleyball? Could you explain how you got involved in this sport?
Hi, this is Tijana Boskovic. When I was a kid I used to spend a lot of time out playing with my friends and we played all different vapors including volleyball and also my father liked to watch sports. I remember we watched all the games that our national volleyball team played. And then my story began and I started to get involved with volleyball.
At what age did you notice your skills were superior than everyone else's?
First club I played was Hercegovac in Bileca at the age of 10. We played many tournaments of course I was playing for the youth team due to my age. We were very successful at the time. I got many individual awards and since then, I always worked very hard because I wanted to be the best. Also I believe that I continued to do what I love the most.
What made you go to Turkey leaving Serbia as a very young player and what do you remember from your first games for Eczacıbaşı?
I spent some great years in Serbia and played for the Serbian League and it was like my first experience playing professional volleyball. In one moment I understood that I have to take a step forward and continue to play in a stronger league and team. In 2015 I made decision that I would play for Eczacibasi and since then I have been here :) I cannot remember exactly a specific memory from the very first game but I could say the club, teammates, board members and all the people were very welcoming from the first day. For me as a young player it was very important to feel like home in a new environment.
This is your seventh year in Istanbul. What do you love most about living there and what do you do to switch off from volleyball?
Good thing is the city is never boring. There are too many nice places to discover and visit. But on the other side, as a professional athlete, I am not using the opportunity that much. My priorities on a day off is much likely to rest, recover and take care of my body. However, I like to drink coffee, experience both Asian and European sides and when my friends and family come to visit me, I like to spend time with them outside.
How would you describe your experience with Eczacıbaşı? What is special about this club?
The experience with the club has been amazing since 7 years. It also makes me feel special to be the first foreign to play the most years consecutive at the club. I am also feeling very lucky to have the same values with the club such as giving more to young girls, women empowerment and preparing young girls to a life experience.
How do you assess the campaign of Eczacıbaşı in this season? What are your expectations and goals?
In Eczacibasi, our goal is to always win in every cup we participate. We are hungry to win. First half of the season we had some good results and performance in tough moments but I am sure in the second half, which is the most important part, we will grow as a team and have the results we want.
How do you look back on your Olympic Games and European Championship experiences as a whole? Are you satisfied with your results last summer?
It was the most difficult but at the same time one of the most beautiful summers of my life with the national team. We won 2 medals from the most important tournaments so of course I am satisfied with the results. My dream was to play in our country one of the most important tournaments and this summer we had chance, so we felt the support and love from our people.
Thanks to your impressive performances you were elected Best Opposite at the Olympic Games and European Championship. What does that mean to you? Can you share with us your secret to success?
Of course these awards mean a lot to me however my focus is always to win as a team and to help. No matter what happens at the end, I just want to know that I am giving my best all the time. There is no secret to success, I will just keep doing what I love the most :)
How is to play under pressure, since everyone expects only trophies from you and your team (both club and national team)?
Playing under pressure is normal at this kind of level. Year by year I have been learning to face difficulties at some crucial moments. And playing under pressure is a part of our job. Until now I did not have any problems to cope with pressure. I also enjoy a lot playing important games in front of thousands people.
You are a shy person off the field, never seeking attention, but as you soon as you start playing volleyball you have great authority. How do you manage that contrast in your personality?
I don’t have so many friends off the court. They know that when you get to know me, I am not that shy :) But it’s true that I don’t like to get the attention off the court however, my comfort zone is inside the court. And these kind of emotions and behaviors that I show on the court comes from my heart natural.
Which of your successes so far do you rate as the biggest?
When we won the World Championship in 2018 it meant the most to me.
Have you fulfilled all your volleyball dreams or are you still chasing some?
I think I can never be fulfilled and satisfied with the results. When I feel that, I think I can tell to myself, okay, I can stop now :) I will chase after my dreams and keep continue until I get them.
