Novak Djokovic says his son likes to impersonate Rafael Nadal when the pair practise together - and admits he doesn't like it.
The 20-time Grand Slam winner's son, Stefan, has been seen by his father's side on the All England Club's training court during Wimbledon. The two have been seen playing together, with the youngster learning from one of the very best as he develops his own game.
And while Djokovic said in May that Carlos Alcaraz had overtaken Nadal as his son's favourite player, it appears as though the legendary Spaniard still has an impact on Stefan's playing style. A copy of Nadal's famous forehand, in particular, seems to be among the seven-year-old's shots.
Djokovic said:
"He likes to do it...he likes to intimidate me by ending the swing like that. He knows I don't like it. When he does that, he always laughs because he knows it. I try to take every opportunity to play with him. He discovered tennis for himself. It's all about how he plays best."
Novak added:
"Everything around tennis, how he can play, he’s watching, he’s analysing. We’re talking. Last night when I was putting him to bed, he was asking me questions: What is the difference between the racquet head sizes, the strings, why somebody is stringing less tension, all these basic questions that kids are very curious about."
And finished off with:
"He’s in love with tennis right now. It was fully his own desire to really pursue tennis. So of course I’m going to be there for him. I never force him to be on the tennis court, but if he wants, I try to always make myself ready to be there and play with him”.