How playing in Adelaide changed Novak Djokovic’s game forever: Grand slam great learned how to play the ‘aggressive, Australian style’ of tennis
- Novak Djokovic was coached as a teenager by Adelaide-born Dejan Petrovic
- The Serbian superstar progressed noticeably in his time under Petrovic
- Djokovic says he learned the ‘aggressive Australian style of tennis’ from Petrovic
Novak Djokovic has been unstoppable in the Adelaide International this summer – and it was here 18 years ago that the Serbian superstar learned to play the ‘very aggressive Australian style of tennis’.
Long before all the grand slam titles and the controversy surrounding his vaccination status, Adelaide was once something of a second home to Djokovic.
Novak Djokovic has been unstoppable in Adelaide Open this summer – and it was here 18 years ago that the Serbian superstar learned to play the ‘very aggressive Australian style of tennis’
Long before all the grand slam titles and the controversy surrounding his vaccination status, Adelaide was once something of a second home to Djokovic (pictured as a teenager)
In early 2004, Adelaide-born Dejan Petrovic – who was once one of Australia’s top junior players – had 17-year-old Djokovic join him in Adelaide for a training block.
Petrovic’s parents were from Serbia, so the Aussie went out of his way to make the youngster feel as least homesick as possible.
‘I made sure he felt at home,’ Petrovic told codesports. ‘We made a memorable barbecue at his place in Blair Athol [just north of the Adelaide CBD]. Traditional pig on a spit, all meats on the BBQ, meze. Absolutely everything.
‘And, naturally, the Serbian rakija [alcohol]. His parents shouldn’t hear this, but we had a couple.’
In early 2004, Adelaide-born Dejan Petrovic (pictured) had 17-year-old Djokovic join him in Adelaide for a training block Petrovic’s parents were from Serbia, so the Aussie went out of his way to make him feel as least homesick as possible
Petrovic connected the rising teenage star to the local Serbian communities and became a mentor to The Joker. Later that year Djokovic’s dad asked Petrovic to take over as his son’s full-time coach.
Petrovic retired from his own tennis career right away, knowing that Djokovic was a truly special talent.
‘We worked a lot on my transition game to the net and serve,’ Djokovic says. ‘Very aggressive, in the Australian style of tennis. It was a great time. We had fun times.’
Petrovic explained further: ‘The bits about the transition game included moving, through contact then recovering back, that was, for me, essential.
Petrovic (pictured coaching young Djokovic in Geneva) connected the rising teenage star to the local Serbian communities and became a mentor to The Joker. Later that year Djokovic’s dad asked Petrovic to take over as his son’s full-time coach
‘He didn’t possess this bomb of an inside out forehand that he has today. He had the backhand. He didn’t miss, and had more power on the backhand.’
‘Plus, the serve is something we worked like crazy to improve.’
Djokovic started to achieve some great results, qualifying for the 2005 Australian Open, The French Open and Wimbledon – where he made it to the third round.
Following the Wimbledon campaign, Djokovic’s family decided to go in a different direction with coaching and brought in Italian Riccardo Piatti.
Djokovic pictured after winning the 2021 Australian Open
Petrovic, who has been in Adelaide this week watching his old student, says he is proud of the time he spent with the Serbian star and back him to go all the way in the Australian Open.
‘I hope he does,’ Petrovic says.
‘All great things start in Adelaide.’
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