Ivan Rackov is the best player on Cal’s roster and has the title to prove he’s the best player in the country.
However, he is also a source of frank insight.
On learning English:
“I watched a lot of American movies, video games,” the senior Cal attacker said. “The key is that you have to be exposed to it. I’ve studied English practically since I was born. But the main influence to learning it was when I got here.”
On picking up water polo:
The National Player of the Year was first exposed to water polo in his hometown of Belgrade, Serbia. His dad was working at a company where co-workers frequently talked about their boys’ water polo practices after school. One day, Rackov’s father asked his son if he wanted to join.
“The first few years were more basic stuff,” Rackov says. “A lot of playing around, getting kids into it. From 10 (years old), that’s when the real games started.”
On playing attacker:
Rackov has never played any position other than attacker. He says it’s because of his size — “I was always the smallest guy.” In fact, numerous people told him in his first years of serious competition that if he didn’t grow, he’d never be any good at the sport.
He doesn’t see his American collegiate success as a way to prove those naysayers wrong. “I’m still small,” he says.
Trying to define the difference between European and American water polo:
Ask any water polo player the difference between American and European water polo, and you’ll more often than not be greeted with blank stares or gaping mouths. It’s not a difficult question; rather, there is a definite difference between the two styles of play. Yet it’s nearly impossible for players to find a tangible way to express that difference.
“A little bit rougher water polo is good,” Rackov says of European style, which he personally prefers. “You can see better movement. You have to earn every single call. I like that style.”
Favorite memories with the Cal men’s water polo team:
Last year’s NCAA Championship overtime loss to USC: “Of course, it was our biggest game. No one likes to lose, especially in their home pool. There were high expectations. I can’t say that we were playing our best polo, but I can’t say that (USC) was playing their best polo, either.”
The 2009 MPSF semi-final upset against Stanford: “We were down by a six or seven goal difference at the half. At half time we clicked and came together. We beat them in overtime. It was really impressive.”
His favorite part of a match:
“The end of the game. It’s a pretty emotional stage. If you win, everyone is happy. If you lose, everyone is upset.”
Away matches: “I like winning away games. There’s a personal satisfaction to that. There’s a crowd that’s yelling the whole time. But when you score a goal, the only thing you hear is silence.”
His favorite part of water polo:
“There’s something new every time. It’s never that … monotone.”
Talent versus success:
“Talent comes naturally, but success depends on the work you put in.”
On setting goals:
“That’s how I feel like works. When you set up and achieve a goal, you work forward.”
On his position as an attacker:
“I don’t like that expression, attacker. Someone who hears it thinks, ‘Oh, that’s all he does.’ I’m more of an attacker and utility. I set up a play and pass the ball to players. If I see an open space, I shoot.”
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