The Djokovic team may soon welcome a legendary addition: Seles might become Novak Djokovic’s coach?

Recently, Serbian reporter Ozmo disclosed that Novak Djokovic, holder of 24 Grand Slam titles, is looking for a new interim coach and is in “initial discussions” with Monica Seles, a nine-time Grand Slam champion, potentially inviting this childhood hero to join his coaching team. While Djokovic did not mention her directly, he cryptically stated, “I believe you know who I mean.”

The connection between Djokovic and Seles dates back to his youth. During the 2024 Australian Open, Djokovic emotionally recalled, “Growing up in Serbia, Monica’s image was in my mind almost every day.” This bond stems from Djokovic’s “tennis mother” Jelena Genčić, who once coached Seles. Through Genčić, young Djokovic learned not only Seles’s training methods but also her diet and sleep routines: “Therefore, Monica was undoubtedly my childhood idol and hero, and I admired her deeply.” Even more noteworthy is the fact that the two have maintained close contact over the years: “Whenever I was injured or disqualified in the US, she was always there to support me during those tough times,” Djokovic revealed. This long-standing relationship built on trust lays a strong foundation for potential collaboration.

At 38, Djokovic has clearly stated that he is no longer seeking a full-time coach: “I’m at a stage in my career where I don’t feel the need to have someone with me 24/7 all year round.” This attitude reflects a typical shift for elite athletes in the later stages of their careers, who prefer targeted guidance rather than constant supervision.Djokovic’s current coaching setup is highly flexible: Dusan Vemic, who accompanied him at this year’s French Open and Wimbledon, has temporarily left the team, leaving only longtime collaborator Boris Boshnjakovic. This modular team structure allows Djokovic to invite specific experts for short-term advice depending on the surface and tournament requirements.

If the cooperation materializes, Seles would bring more than just technical coaching. As the youngest French Open champion in history (16 years and 6 months old), she deeply understands the pressures of early fame; having overcome a major on-court trauma (the 1993 Hamburg stabbing incident) and returned to the top, she possesses unparalleled mental resilience.These qualities are especially crucial for Djokovic now, as he faces the challenges of aging while striving to maintain peak performance. Seles’s experience in navigating significant career turning points may prove more valuable than any technical adjustment.

Although both parties are interested in working together, some practical issues remain. Since retiring in 2008, Seles has engaged in tennis commentary and analysis but has never served as a full-time coach, and recently she disclosed her struggle with myasthenia gravis. However, Djokovic emphasized that their collaboration would be emotional and occasional rather than a long-term arrangement. ButThis unconventional cooperation model could actually be the key to success; Seles would not need to accompany him full-time but rather provide expert insights at specific events, similar to Andy Murray’s short-term collaboration during this year’s Wimbledon.

If Seles joins Djokovic’s team, she would become one of the very few female coaches working with top male players. This would be a groundbreaking development in the still male-dominated field of tennis coaching. When asked about the possibility of a female coach during this year’s Australian Open, Djokovic said, “Since you mentioned it, the only coach I can think of is Monica Seles.” This openness itself is pushing the sport forward.

Currently, Djokovic maintains a cautiously optimistic stance: “We shall see. These are just initial talks, more emotional exchanges than a long-term partnership. It means a lot to me.” Whether the collaboration ultimately happens or not, this cross-generational dialogue is already touching—a once dream-chasing boy may now stand alongside his childhood idol.As Djokovic navigates the final stages of his career, Seles’s potential addition could represent not just a tactical upgrade but an emotional return to the beginning—back to that starting point in Belgrade, listening to stories of “Monica this and Monica that,” completing a poetic tennis full circle.(Source: Tennis Home Author: Mei)