At the age of 28 Novak Djokovic has a few years left on the tour. The world No.1 is currently participating in the China Open where he is currently on route to breaking Jimmy Connors record of the most consecutive wins at an ATP event.
Speaking to the media in China, the Serbian has spoken about what he would like to do once his professional career comes to an end. Djokovic has hinted that he would like to follow in the footsteps of his coach Boris Becker.
“Tennis is my life! I’ll probably try to stay in the game. Or why not coach someone one day”. He told reporters.
Tennis is renowned for former professionals returning to the tour to coach players. Some of these include Boris Becker, Ivan Lendl, Amelie Mauresmo, Lindsay Davenport, Stefan Edberg, Michael Chang and Goran Ivanisevic.
If Djokovic goes down the coaching route he will not be short of finding a player to work with. One potential player could be world No.38 Borna Coric who is ten years younger than Djokovic. Djokovic has spent time training with the 18-year-old in the past and once said playing Coric was like playing himself.
“ I try to help him because I see, in a way, myself through him. I’ve never felt that way when I practice with somebody as I felt with him. It’s like playing myself. Very similar game” Djokovic said earlier this year.
“He’s a good boy and we have good relationship. I try to always talk with him, give him few advices. I think he has a bright future if he is able to stay on the pathway he is right now and be patient and, you know, he has a good team of people around him”.
The prospect of a Djokovic-Coric partnership is an exciting one, but the world No.1 is still years away from contemplating coaching. There is however one certainty. When the Serbian retires, he will still be a force on the ATP Tour in some sort of capacity.
