Alexander Zverev has revealed that he has a secret agreement with Novak Djokovic for the legendary Serb to coach him for a year once he retires from tennis. However, the world No. 2 has shed doubt on the partnership coming to fruition, jokingly claiming that Djokovic is purposely continuing his career to break the deal.
On Thursday, Zverev took part in the third edition of ‘A Night with Novak’, a charity exhibition event held for 15,000 fans at the Rod Laver Arena before the Australian Open gets underway.
Djokovic spends the evening talking to the crowd and having fun on the court with different players. This year, he kicked off the action with some friendly singles hitting against the Russian.
After an entertaining set between the pair – which Djokovic won 7-6 in games after taking the tiebreak 8-6 – they sat down for an on-court interview.
Andy Murray, who is coaching the 10-time Australian Open champion ahead of his bid for a 25th Grand Slam title this month, later joined in.
And Zverev made a topical jibe, mentioning that Djokovic had agreed to coach him once he walks away from his incredible career on the ATP Tour.
When discussing his preparations for the Melbourne showdown, Djokovic explained that he took his kids to a « special tree » in the local area.
« We climbed it, we hugged it, we kissed it, so we’re all good, » the 37-year-old explained, suggesting he has visited the tree as a pre-tournament ritual for a while.
A curious Zverev then asked: « Where is this tree? I want to know this tree. »
To which the Serb replied: « It’s a secret I will reveal to you once I retire. »
But Zverev wasn’t accepting that as an answer, joking that Djokovic would probably still be playing by the time he decided to call it a day.
« But the problem is that I’ll retire before you! This is pointless, » the 27-year-old, who has yet to win a Grand Slam, said.
« Also, people don’t know this, but Novak and I, probably similar to Andy, have a deal that once he retires from tennis, he’s going to coach me for a year as well.
« He just wants to postpone this until I retire, so he doesn’t have to do that. It’s ongoing. »
The next segment of the event saw Victoria Azarenka partner Murray and Djokovic team up with Zheng Qinwen – who also won gold in the women’s singles at the Paris Olympics last year – in a doubles match.
And Azarenka also weighed in on Murray and Djokovic’s dream link-up by joking that she was « getting no help » from the Scotsman during the clash.
The two-time Australian Open champion also jested that he was giving her « no encouragement » and urged him to « do something, » adding, « Your brother was way more supportive! »
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