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Being able to represent the University of Washington and wear the purple and gold on the tennis court has been a longtime dream for Nedim Suko. The five-star rising senior grew up in nearby Kirkland and has attended many UW matches over the years. He was born at the UW Medical Center.

Five-Star Nedim Suko Has Committed To Washington
© Bill Kallenberg/CapturedInAction

But being able to represent his family is even more important to Suko because he knows how much they’ve overcome to give him the opportunity.

Suko’s parents moved to the United States as refugees from Bosnia and Herzegovina during the Yugoslav War. His dad spent many months in a concentration camp until the Red Cross was able to rescue him.

"My family story is a big piece of my life and has inspired me since the day my parents told me what happened to them,” said Suko, who is bilingual and travels to Bosnia every summer. “It's helped me understand my problems are nothing compared to what other people go through and all the suffering they have endured."

Although he researched other colleges, Suko knew he wanted to commit to Washington and play for head coach Matt Anger and associate head coach Chris Russell.

"I had a pretty strong connection and understanding about what their goals are and understanding about what my goals are and what I want for the future, both out of school and tennis,” Suko said. “They know the pathway to get to the next level and I really believe in them."