Novak Djokovic has set up a training block in Dubai this close season and has invited compatriot and newly-crowned Next Gen ATP Finals champion Hamad Medjedovic.
Djokovic and Medjedovic are the first pair from the same country to win the ATP’s flagship year-end championships in the same season. World No. 1 Djokovic triumphed at the ATP Finals in Turin for a record-breaking seventh time in November.
Medjedovic, meanwhile, became the first tennis player to win an ATP-sanctioned tournament in Saudi Arabia by besting Arthur Fils in the final of the Next Gen tournament and taking home $514,000 in prize money for going undefeated during the week.
Djokovic has been a mentor and helper for Medjedovic by extending his generosity through advice and financial aid to assist the youngster’s early career phase. Having gone through the same trajectory, Djokovic understands the hurdles that can limit a tennis player from reaching his full potential.
It’s not by accident that the 20-year-old has enjoyed the best year of his tennis career. Medjedovic has won three Challenger titles and qualified in back-to-back Grand Slam main draws for the first time (French Open and Wimbledon).
Djokovic’s decision to begin his pre-season in Dubai is in readiness for the 2024 season, which begins in just under a month at the United Cup, and he wants to develop some chemistry with Medjevovic ahead of the mixed-gender tournament where both of them will take part.
“The mission for next season starts in Dubai. Medjedovic was invited by Novak Djokovic to practice together, before they fly to Australia to represent Serbia together at the United Cup in Perth.”
It comes on the back of a similar move employed by Djokovic’s longtime rival Rafael Nadal, who is also in the Middle East. The Spanish legend is making his long-awaited return to tennis at the Brisbane International next month and has been training in Kuwait at his academy with French Next Gen star Arthur Fils who lost Medjedvoic in Jeddah.
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