Novak Djokovic has been conserving a detailed eye on one star’s progress.
Novak Djokovic has taken his time to offer WTA star Iva Jovic some recommendations on her recreation (Picture: Getty)
Novak Djokovic may be out of competitors proper now, however the Serbian famous person continues to be conserving a detailed eye on one rising star, whom he shouted out through the Australian Open. The 24-time Grand Slam champion has been impressed by Iva Jovic’s quick stand up the rankings – this time a yr in the past, {the teenager} was ranked No. 150 on the planet. Now she’s No 16.
It was simple for Djokovic to maintain observe of Jovic’s outcomes whereas he was additionally competing in the identical tournaments, however the world No. 4 continues to be watching her progress from afar, regardless of skipping the latest Miami Open and pulling out of the upcoming Monte Carlo Masters.
The 18-year-old is at present competing on the WTA 500 occasion in Charleston, the place she is the No. 4 seed. She gained her opening match towards Alycia Parks, after which informed Tennis Channel that she tried to repeat Djokovic on the return as she broke Parks’ serve 4 instances.
“I used to be simply attempting to be adaptable. She will hit all of the spots, generally she will double a bit. However when it goes in, it’s excellent. I used to be shifting up and again, taking part in round with it, attempting to be like Novak on that return! So simply emulating him a bit bit,” Jovic defined.
The world No. 16 continues to obtain loads of recommendation from Djokovic, one thing she’s nonetheless attempting to wrap her head round. “He’s given me some nice suggestions. I can inform that he has watched my matches, which is surreal. How do you even have time for that? How am I in your precedence checklist?” she smiled.
“It’s unimaginable, he offers me very particular recommendations on some totally different ways on how I can play, some totally different versatility that I can add into my recreation, so I’ve been attempting to do it. Me and my coach have a joke, in case you don’t need to hearken to me, hearken to Novak a minimum of! As a result of they’re saying the identical factor but it surely’s a bit totally different when it comes from Novak.”
Iva Jovic has loved a speedy rise during the last yr (Picture: Getty)
And Jovic isn’t the one one Djokovic has been supporting from afar. The previous world No. 1 additionally reached out to French teenager Moise Kouame when he gained his first ATP Tour-level match on the Miami Open final month.
Jovic added: “I don’t understand how he does it. I imply, he’s a husband, he’s a father, he’s the best tennis participant of all time. He is aware of, what, seven languages? Everybody wants a time administration plan from Novak as a result of I don’t understand how he does it, however he actually makes time for younger gamers and needs to assist them, which is nice.
“I’ve a direct line. I attempt to not trouble him an excessive amount of, however I textual content him all through tournaments, particularly after we’re on the similar place. Each time I see him, we’ve got an excellent chat, so I’m hoping he stays across the tour longer.”
When Djokovic and Jovic have been each in Melbourne for the Aussie Open, {the teenager} heeded his recommendation and earned her first top-10 win en path to a maiden Grand Slam quarter-final. On the time, Djokovic defined: “I actually like her, she’s an amazing lady and has a very nice household. Clearly, I really feel extra emotionally linked to her due to her Serbian background so I attempt much more. She undoubtedly has all of the instruments to be a future champion, a future No. 1, in order that’s precisely what I want for her.”
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