“I feel it’s normal for me” – Djokovic, mentoring the next generation (and trying to beat them)
The Serb speaks about his role as both a mentor and a rival for many of the younger players on the ATP Tour, ahead of his clash against Alexander Zverev at Roland-Garros
© Asanka Brendon Ratnayake/AP/SIPA
On Wednesday, Novak Djokovic will take to court against Alexander Zverev – a player 10 years younger than him – to contest the 2025 Roland-Garros quarter-finals in Paris.
Just a few months ago, he was trading blows with Jakub Mensik, a prospect also two decades his junior, in the Miami Open final.
The age gap is not the only bizarre characteristic of these meetings: it’s the fact that these are both players Djokovic invested in and mentored when they were up-and-comers, and now they are rivals he’s trying to beat on the biggest stages.
The Serb himself doesn’t quite know what to think of this evolution, but to him, it just feels natural.
Djokovic on his duel role
“Well, I don’t think that’s something special,” Djokovic said when asked about the input he gave Zverev in his formative years.
“I just see it as something that I feel it’s normal for me. Like, that’s something that I always wanted to do if one day I would reach certain heights in the sport, and then obviously convey that, transfer that to new generations and help new players be even better.
“So I always had that kind of attitude, because when I was younger, I was looking for that from the players that I was looking up to.
“You know, some were more daring or caring to share, and some not. But I do understand that at this level, particularly when you are at the top of the game with someone, even though you had a great relationship and you still maintained that great relationship, maybe you’re not sharing as much as you used to.
“That kind of was the case with Medvedev and Tsitsipas when they were coming up. And Zverev when they were really, really young and kind of breaking through, it was more exchanges maybe on some things, whether it was, I don’t know, from just strokes or strings they use or the way you train or recover, stuff like this. Then when they get to top 10, top five in the world, it’s a different dynamic. It’s kind of normal to expect that.
“But nevertheless, whether that’s for Mensik or whoever it is for, I tell everyone that I’m available if they need a call about anything.
“I feel like that’s what I owe to the game. Not just to them but to the game of tennis. I feel like that’s something is normal for me. In the end of the day, what’s the value of the knowledge or experience that you have if you don’t transfer it to someone who is coming up?”
For now, Djokovic and Zverev’s relationship will be strictly business, with the Serbian looking to gain his ninth win over the German and draw within two matches of a record extending 25th Grand Slam title.
