Olga Danilovic’s ongoing connection with legendary countryman Novak Djokovic is certainly benefitting her career.
The rising Serbian star, 22 years old, has trained at Djokovic’s Belgrade academy and enjoyed his courtside support during matches.
These interactions have often coincided with career-best results, boding well for her teaming with Djokovic at United Cup 2024.
The duo will represent Team Serbia at the mixed teams event, heading to Perth for Group E matches against China and Czech Republic.
TICKETS: Cheer on Team Serbia at RAC Arena in Perth
Djokovic’s debut at the event has generated plenty of excitement, even among his opponents.
"You know the first time I heard we will play against Serbia, that was a shock for me. (I thought) no way! I haven't had a chance to play against Novak Djokovic,” Zheng Qinwen told unitedcup.com about facing the world No.1.
“I'm super happy, honestly, to play against Serbia.”
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Danilovic will experience even more benefits more from having the 24-time Grand Slam champion in her corner.
“When we started, I didn’t really know how much he was going to be there but he was there for me every day on my court, coaching me tennis but also life; not only how to hit a forehand but also mental strength,” Danilovic recounted of her time training at Djokovic’s academy in the 2020 off-season.
“This gives me confidence, and when he tells you ‘good job’ or says ‘bravo’, you of course feel good.”
The carry-over effect of that time spent with Djokovic was obvious, as Danilovic qualified for the main draw at Australian Open 2021 – the first time she had done so at a Slam.
She went even better in 2023, qualifying for the main draw at Roland Garros 2023 and advancing to the third round – a tournament where Djokovic’s coach Goran Ivanisevic watched her matches.
“I'm proud to be in third round, and I'm still with Novak in the same tournament. So that's nice,” she smiled following a result that propelled her inside the top 100.
That run was part of a mid-season purple patch for Danilovic; she won 10 straight matches and 21 consecutive sets before falling in three sets to Ons Jabeur.
She peaked at a career-best world No.93 before injury forced her to end her season early, but she posted an encouraging update about her progress on Instagram.
If Danilovic’s progression in 2023 was impressive, then Djokovic’s was astonishing, given he is 14 years older than his teammate and at a stage of his career not typically associated with improvement.
Yet he is somehow producing some of his best tennis at age 36.
He won three Grand Slam titles – narrowly missing a sweep of all four – and returned to world No.1, ending a record-extending eighth season atop the rankings.
In a recent interview with Jon Wertheim on 60 Minutes, Djokovic revealed how his loss to Carlos Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final “pissed me off so much” that it actually helped him for the rest of the season.
“I needed to win everything on American soil, which I did,” said Djokovic, who won his next 20 matches and did not taste defeat for four months.
“It’s a great opportunity for me to reinvent myself and really push harder than I ever did.”
In his last singles outing in 2023, he held three match points but could not stop Jannik Sinner, who rebounded to win their Davis Cup rubber. Italy went on to beat Serbia in that semifinal, before winning the entire competition.
“When you lose for your country, the bitter feeling is even greater,” he admitted.
Djokovic will get the chance to atone for that defeat when he kicks off his United Cup campaign on 31 December at RAC Arena.
PERTH: United Cup City Spotlight
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Given how well he responded to his Wimbledon disappointment, he looms as a frightening proposition for opponents in Perth.
But not for Danilovic, who will enjoy an invaluable opportunity to team with a legend of the sport.
“We all know he is the best, the toughest guy on earth – not only the Tour – with his ability to be calm on court, and he helped me so much,” she said.
“He is one of a kind and I am so grateful to him. He is an amazing person and not only a mentor but a friend.”
