Djokovic hints at shock appointment of former women's No.1 as new coach

(Getty/AI Bello)

Three months after parting ways with ex-coach and long-time rival Andy Murray, a new candidate has emerged as Novak Djokovic's new coach ahead of his quest for a 25th Grand Slam title.

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Djokovic, who faces 19-year-old American Learner Tien in the first round of the US Open, has featured in three tournaments (Geneva Open, Roland-Garros and Wimbledon) without a permanent coach since announcing his split with Murray after a six-month experiment.

"I'm laughing because it's like you're reading my mind, but I can't tell you anything," Djokovic told Serbian media when referring to coaching links concerning Seles, with the comments being picked up by Sportklub.

"These are initial discussions; it's more about emotions than a long-term collaboration.

"I think you already know who it is, but come on, I'm not going to say names now, not to do it too soon. If the time comes… We've had some interesting conversations."

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The 24-time major winner also shared that "it would mean a lot to me" to team up with Seles, who won nine Grand Slam titles.

At the 2024 Australian Open, Djokovic tied Seles' record for 33 consecutive wins at Melbourne Park after his four-set victory against Taylor Fritz in the quarter-finals.

Unaware of the record before being asked by a reporter, the Serbian great was honoured to share a distinctive piece of history.

"It means a lot. I didn't know that I'm sharing this achievement, this record with her. It makes it, of course, even more special for me. I really love Monica," Djokovic said last year.

"I have had Monica in my head when I was growing up in Serbia pretty much every single day, because (my childhood coach) Jelena Gencic, my tennis mother, as I like to call her… worked with Monica when she was young.

"Monica was definitely one of my childhood idols and heroes, and I looked up to her very much. When I got a chance to meet with her first time, I was very nervous."

Seles holds the record for the most major crowns as a teenager in the Open era with eight.

Earlier this month, Seles went public with her disease diagnosis, revealing that she is battling with myasthenia gravis (MG), which she has been fighting for three years.

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