'Novak Djokovic is like a lion, give him a chance and he would eat you,' said Ivanisevic

After being friends for years, Novak Djokovic and Goran Ivanisevic started working together at Wimbledon 2019, with the Croat trying to add more elements to the multiple Major champion's serve.

Goran didn't stay with Novak until the end of Wimbledon, joining the team in the upcoming tournaments and sharing the coaching duties with Marian Vajda. Ivanisevic remained with Novak throughout 2020, leading him towards the ATP throne and traveling with the Serb at the Australian Open at the beginning of 2021. Hitting over 100 aces for the first time at one tournament, Djokovic won the ninth crown at Melbourne Park, sharing his delight with Ivanisevic.

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Speaking about Djokovic, Ivanisevic said that he met him at Niki Pilic Academy in Germany when Novak was only 14, hitting with the youngster for half an hour and making a quick connection. Praising his pupil, Goran said that Novak is like a lion who takes every chance to eat the rival on the court and emerge as a winner.

"You know, Novak is like a lion, and you never see a lion drinking a cocktail. He's hungry for blood and wants to beat you and eat you. Novak wants to win, and that's how he performs on the court. When he steps on the court, if you give him a little finger, you are gone. It's unbelievable to see. I saw Novak for the first time when he was 14 and a half years old at Niki Pilic Academy.

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I was working with Niki in Germany, and Novak was there. I remember Pilic telling me: 'Listen, there is one kid from Serbia; he's gonna be number one in the world one day.' I played with him for half an hour. When we finished, Novak gave me chocolate because he thought that I'm tired. He ran and brought it to me. I remember that, and since then, I'm following his career," Goran Ivanisevic said.