"I don’t know how long he is ready to play": Novak Djokovic responds in jest to notion of coaching Holger Rune
ATP
Novak
Djokovic jokingly commented about coaching Holger Rune after his retirement,
although he acknowledged that there is still time for such a scenario.
The
24-times Grand Slam champion is just hours away from making his debut in the
ATP Finals, entering the tournament as the undisputed world No. 1. He will be
aiming to retain the title he won in 2022, which would also mark his seventh
crown, an absolute record in the tournament.
Djokovic's
opening match will be against the 20-year-old rising star Holger Rune, marking
their 5th career meeting with a head-to-head record of 2-2. During a pre-match
press conference, the Serbian playfully entertained the idea of coaching the
young Danish player after he decides to retire from tennis.
“Umm..I
don’t know how long he’s ready to play, you know, for that to happen. No I’m
kidding, umm.. look I don’t know, it’s seems a very, very far thought for now,"
he said.
"Rune
and I play similar tennis, we move well and defend well, he is very concrete
and like me, he shows a lot of energy on the court. I can’t wait to face him,
having him in the group we will play against him for the second time in a few
days, it will certainly be a hard-fought match," he said.
“For me,
the biggest goal right now is to end the season as the No. 1 player in the
world, so hopefully I can clinch it. I need one win, so hopefully that happens.
And then of course, I would love to win the tournament as well. But that's the
goal and then let's see what happens afterwards.”
Djokovic
also acknowledged in the press conference that his main goal is to finish the
year as the world No. 1. The only scenario that could prevent this is if Carlos
Alcaraz takes the title in an undefeated fashion, and Djokovic fails to win any
of his matches.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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