Novak Djokovic might be out of competition right now, but the Serbian superstar is still keeping a close eye on one rising star, whom he shouted out during the Australian Open. The 24-time Grand Slam champion has been impressed by Iva Jovic’s fast rise up the rankings – this time a year ago, the teenager was ranked No. 150 in the world. Now she’s No 16.

It was easy for Djokovic to keep track of Jovic’s results while he was also competing in the same tournaments, but the world No. 4 is still watching her progress from afar, despite skipping the recent Miami Open and pulling out of the upcoming Monte Carlo Masters.

The 18-year-old is currently competing at the WTA 500 event in Charleston, where she is the No. 4 seed. She won her opening match against Alycia Parks, and then told Tennis Channel that she tried to copy Djokovic on the return as she broke Parks’ serve four times.

“I was just trying to be adaptable. She can hit all the spots, sometimes she can double a bit. But when it goes in, it’s very good. I was moving up and back, playing around with it, trying to be like Novak on that return! So just emulating him a little bit,” Jovic explained.

The world No. 16 continues to receive plenty of advice from Djokovic, something she’s still trying to wrap her head around. “He’s given me some great tips. I can tell that he has watched my matches, which is surreal. How do you even have time for that? How am I on your priority list?” she smiled.

“It’s incredible, he gives me very specific tips about some different tactics on how I can play, some different versatility that I can add into my game, so I’ve been trying to do it. Me and my coach have a joke, if you don’t want to listen to me, listen to Novak at least! Because they’re saying the same thing but it’s a little different when it comes from Novak.”

And Jovic isn’t the only one Djokovic has been supporting from afar. The former world No. 1 also reached out to French teenager Moise Kouame when he won his first ATP Tour-level match at the Miami Open last month.

Jovic added: “I don’t know how he does it. I mean, he’s a husband, he’s a father, he’s the greatest tennis player of all time. He knows, what, seven languages? Everyone needs a time management plan from Novak because I don’t know how he does it, but he really makes time for young players and wants to help them, which is great.

“I have a direct line. I try not to bother him too much, but I text him throughout tournaments, especially when we’re at the same place. Every time I see him, we have a good chat, so I’m hoping he stays around the tour longer.”

When Djokovic and Jovic were both in Melbourne for the Aussie Open, the teenager heeded his advice and earned her first top-10 win en route to a maiden Grand Slam quarter-final. At the time, Djokovic explained: “I really like her, she’s a great girl and has a really nice family. Obviously, I feel more emotionally connected to her because of her Serbian background so I try even more. She definitely has all the tools to be a future champion, a future No. 1, so that’s exactly what I wish for her.”

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