Marek Michalicka, one of the most decorated players in Wisconsin men’s tennis history, was named head coach of the Badger women’s tennis program in August 2025.
Michalicka (pronounced Mee-sha-lee-ka) spent the previous two seasons as an assistant coach at Wisconsin, helping the Badgers to consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances while contributing to player development, recruiting, and program operations. His coaching résumé also includes two seasons as an assistant coach at Oklahoma State and a stint as a volunteer assistant with the University of Michigan men’s tennis program.
A native of Rícany, Czech Republic, Michalicka competed professionally from 2011–2016, winning 11 ITF Futures singles titles and capturing the Czech National Indoor Championship in 2016. He reached a career-high ATP singles ranking of No. 235 and totaled 251 professional victories across singles and doubles play.
At Wisconsin, Michalicka was a three-time All-Big Ten honoree, the 2008 Big Ten Freshman of the Year, and a three-time NCAA singles qualifier. He closed his Badger career with a 97–35 singles record, the second-best winning percentage in school history (.735), along with 86 doubles victories. He was also a two-time Academic All-Big Ten selection.
Michalicka earned his bachelor’s degree in economics from Wisconsin in 2011. He and his wife, Vanessa, live in New Glarus, Wisconsin, with their daughter, Amelia.
