Djokovic ahead of Wimbledon with his son’s push

The real show Novak Djokovic did not do it today against compatriot Miomir Kecmanovic, beaten 6-0 6-3 6-4 in an hour and 53 minutes in the third round match, rather playing in recent days with his son Stefan. How? Playing tennis with him. By training. Giving him advice. And from what we can see, the first results (which some define astonishing) are slowly coming. The eldest son of Nole and Jelena immediately showed what he’s made of: very aggressive with his backhand (bimane, of course), he then hits above all straight in an incredibly similar way to his father. He shoots a photo, on social media, where the images of Novak and Stefan are one on top of the other, and it really makes an impression.

Grit also seems to be a family brand, with the little one who certainly does not beg to give 100% every single shot, so much so that dad Nole, laughing, almost seems to have to curb the exuberance of the eldest son. In the Aorangi training camps, seeing the two Djokovic “play against” has almost become a habit, under the eyes (amused but interested) of Goran Ivanisevic.

Stefan (who wears a bandana very similar to the one John McEnroe used), obviously does not miss a game of dad Novak, on the contrary he seems to study every single move sitting in the stands, in recent days together with the ex-wife and son of Boris Becker , guests of the Djokovic family, of which he was the coach until a few years ago. “He’s the biggest fans,” the six-time Wimbledon winner has said several times, and he certainly doesn’t have a hard time believing it. Videos and photos of the exchanges between father and son run a lot on social media, so much so that the former world number one yesterday commented on his son’s deeds with a “so cool”. I’m not forcing him to play tennis. I never did it. Not a single day did I tell him you have to do it, “Djokovic said of Stefan.” Obviously when he plays tennis it’s great, it’s great to see him. I think he shouldn’t feel any pressure or expectation yet, even if he will because I guess he’s part of his family. I try to give him advice, tell him what he should do, obviously trying to speak in his language “.

Now Van Rijthoven

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Returning to the tournament, Djokovic is already in the round of 16, and the road to what would be his eighth final in London seems to have no major obstacles. One of these, however, could appear in an unpredictable way already in the next round, because Dutch wild card Tim van Rijthoven, Dutch wild card “executioner” of Medvedev in the final at S-Hertogenbosch, is a customer to be taken very seriously. How could it not be otherwise, with someone who finds himself in the round of 16 at Wimbledon after he had never won a match at ATP level until 2 months ago?