Rising Serbian star Hamad Medjedovic says Novak Djokovic is always there when he needs advice and he is extremely grateful to have “the best player of all-time” as his mentor. Medjedovic, who turned 19 last month, is currently the 262nd-ranked player in the world.
In early July, Medjedovic lifted his first Challenger title when he won the Luedenscheid Challenger as a qualifier. Medjedovic is considered as one of the most promising Serbian talents and Djokovic wants to make sure the 19-year-old is put in the right position to succeed.
“He’s my mentor. He’s texting me asking if I need something, or giving me advice. I’m really happy that I have the best player of all-time [as] my mentor,” Medjedovic said of being mentored by Djokovic, per Damian Kust.
Medjedovic on how he’d describe his relationship with Djokovic: “He’s my mentor. He’s texting me asking if I need something, or giving me advice. I’m really happy that I have the best player of all-time [as] my mentor” — Damian Kust (@damiankust) August 15, 2022
Djokovic doing his best to support Medjedovic
When Medjedovic’s father Eldin met with Djokovic, he was lost for words after an extremely kind and generous Djokovic gesture.
When Djokovic put on paper what was needed to do to help Medjedovic take the next step in his career, Eldin Medjedovic told Djokovic that it costs a lot of money. Djokovic then said that he would be the one covering all the financial costs in Medjedovic’s development.
“Novak is really trying hard to help Hamad,” Eldin Medjedovic told Sportal. “He was giving me ideas, what to do about Hamad, and I remember saying to him: ‘Nole, I’m sorry, but it all costs money!’ He continues, suggests me a coach, talks about how we will do, what we will do and adds: ‘It’s up to Hamad to train, I’ll do the rest!’ I tell him again: ‘Nole, it costs money!’ Then Novak told me: ‘Edo, I don’t do this for money!
I have a place to earn money. Simply, my role and my task is to help. What kind of person would I be if I didn’t help children who deserve it, who love tennis, they still achieve results, helped?’ I listen to him, and he adds: ‘You know what we’re going to do? Tomorrow, when Hamad succeeds, you’re also going to take someone who you’re going to help!'”
