NOVAK DJOKOVIC has been linked to a sensational coaching collaboration with childhood idol Monica Seles.
The greatest male player in tennis history has refused to rule out the prospect of hooking up with the nine-time Grand Slam champion.
Over the years, the Serbian, 38, has had former players Boris Becker, Goran Ivanišević and Andy Murray as part of his backroom staff and he does not want a full-time coach at this stage of his life.
Seles was born in Serbia – she later represented America – and won titles in Melbourne, Paris and New York and made the 1992 Wimbledon final where she was defeated by Steffi Graf.
In April 1993, Seles was the victim of a frenzied on-court attack in Hamburg when an obsessed Graf fan stabbed her in the back with a knife as she was sitting down between games.
This month, Seles – who is a very private person – revealed she had been diagnosed with myasthenia gravis – a neuromuscular autoimmune disease – three years ago.
The 51-year-old first noticed symptoms five years ago of the rare long-term condition, which can affect most parts of the body, including the muscles that control the eyes.
Serbian journalists, including a reporter working for CLAY magazine, asked Djokovic about his next short-term appointment as coach Dusan Vemic is not part of the team at Flushing Meadows.
The Eastern European pack had it on good authority that Seles – who is in the city this fortnight on behalf of the Laureus foundation – was a possible option.
Asked about whether a replacement for Vemic was on the horizon, Djokovic said on Friday: “I’m smiling because it’s like you’ve read my mind. But I can’t tell you anything.
“I’ve been stirring the pot a little, talking…We’ll see, you’ll be informed.
“We’ll see. These are just initial talks, and it’s more about the emotional aspect than a long-term partnership.
“That would mean a lot to me. I think you know who I’m talking about, but let’s not go into names now, so I don’t jump the gun.
“If it even happens…We’ve had some interesting conversations.”
Djokovic – who has not played since being thumped by Jannik Sinner in the Wimbledon semi-finals on Centre Court – plays American teen Learner Tien in the nighttime session at the Arthur Ashe stadium on Sunday.
During the 2024 Australian Open in Melbourne, he expressed his admiration towards Seles and how she had been a huge inspiration during his formative years in Belgrade.
The former world No.1 said: “I have had Monica in my head when I was growing up in Serbia pretty much every single day.
“Because Jelena Gencic, my tennis mother, as I like to call her, worked with Monica when she was young.
“So I was hearing a lot about Monica, Monica this, Monica that, Monica eats this, Monica sleeps this much, Monica practices this way.
“So Monica was definitely one of my childhood idols and heroes, and I looked up to her very much.
“The only one I could see myself working with is Monica Seles, now that you mention it.
“Actually, Monica has been a sort of mentor to me over the years.
“We’ve been in touch for a long time. Whenever I had injuries or when I was disqualified in the US, she always reached out in those tough moments, offering support and advice.
“I’m at a stage of my career where I don’t feel the need to have someone with me 24/7 all year.
“My schedule is revised and significantly reduced.
“It’s hard for me to ask someone to commit full-time when I’m playing maybe two tournaments in two or three months.”
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