Florida International University

"I had one of the worst experiences of my life playing for her. The environment was incredibly toxic, and she constantly pitted players against one another. She created an unspoken hierarchy within the team, which led some players to believe they were superior to others. She was verbally abusive, frequently displayed racial bias toward Black women, and engaged in countless microaggressions. Her treatment of athletes often varied based on their race and background. She openly favored international players and seemed to view them as inherently better, often implying they had a stronger work ethic and were easier to coach than American players. She was previously fired after serious concerns arose during her tenure, yet somehow was able to continue coaching. Situations like this highlight how major issues can sometimes go overlooked within collegiate athletics. The impact of the environment on athletes' mental health was significant. During my time in the program, there were serious concerns regarding player well-being, including instances in which athletes struggled with severe mental health challenges and suicidal thoughts. These issues underscored the need for greater accountability, support systems, and attention to athlete welfare. If you are a Black American athlete, I would strongly caution you before considering this program. Based on my experience, you are unlikely to receive the same level of respect, support, or opportunity as others."

"I dropped out during my freshman year here at FIU on the women’s tennis team because of her. She created the environment so competitive and unwelcoming that it was hard not to feel depressed and anxious. I would try and complain to different departments but they would only cover her, leaving me feeling very unsupported and lonely. She does not treat people fair. Manipulates you into thinking she cares. Not a leader at all, and really I struggled with depression so much because of her and her players. She created the environment so toxic"

"She is actually pretty good at recruiting, but after that part of the job is done, every talented player starts playing worse after being on the team for a couple of years. She doesn’t know how to recognize the weapons of the players or how to develop their weaker sides. She has been caught lying to pit players against each other multiple times. Cannot stand any criticism of her coaching methods coming from the players. She picks favorites sometimes based on who the better players are, other times based on personal preferences or their nationality because she is racist. Players on the team are treated as if they are disposable goods, for example, by creating an environment where seniors who are about to graduate are isolated from the rest of the team for multiple years in a row. Many players also end up injured as a result of unnecessarily intense practices and a lack of care for their physical and mental health. FIU is an excellent school, and it makes me sad that people might not want to come here. But the reality is, something needs to change for the results and well-being of the players to be improved."

" My daughter had to overcome terrible treatment from this “coach”. The Athletics Department doesn’t really care, even after multiple complaints from players. It seemed and felt very corrupt. Katarina Petrovic is not a good coach—unskilled and often unsure of what to do. She was caught multiple times yelling at players after a loss,never taking accountability and always blame it on others. But what’s worse is how she is as a person: she treats people horribly, body-shames, manipulates, makes promises that aren’t in her control, and tries to turn teammates against each other. She truly doesn’t know & care about tennis, she only cares about keeping the job. We complained to the athletic director, administrators, and many others, but we were not heard. However,they will promote mental health and speaking up,but it is all fake and they will get rid of you if you cause problems.She left my daughter with trauma. Please make sure to do your research before committing to play for someone like her. "

"ONCE SHE RECRUITS YOU SHE EXPECTS YOU TO BE HER SERVANT. STAY AWAY FROM THIS WOMAN"