When he was young, there were no seniors to support him, but now Djokovic spares no effort in mentoring the younger generation.

“If you let Novak start talking, he just won’t stop. I really wish I could sit there and chat with him for four hours,” Sabalenka said before the Wimbledon press conference after hearing Djokovic’s nonstop speech. Her voice carried no irony, only respect.

From fresh newcomers to experienced veterans, nearly everyone has a story connected to him. Medvedev recalled a practice session in Monte Carlo that eventually led to a Davis Cup opportunity; young player Menšík spoke about his guidance from Mejdovich; Kovacevic remembered a long conversation with him in the US Open gym. Now, at 38, Djokovic still plays the role of mentor and explained why he chose to help Sinner, even though no one had offered him such support when he was young.

During the 2025 "Six Kings" tournament, an interviewer mentioned Sinner’s touching tribute — the young Italian once said that their conversation after their 2022 Wimbledon quarterfinal was a key inspiration for him reaching world number one. When asked if any opponent had ever guided him like that, Djokovic’s answer was sincere and tinged with emotion.

“The greatest opponents? No, no one ever did that. Only when I was young, training under Piatti with Ljubičić — he was world number three then, and I was just inside the top 100. We shared the same coach, the Italian Riccardo Piatti. Apart from that, no one else.”

Riccardo Piatti, one of the most respected coaches in tennis, has trained players like Raonic, Gasquet, and a young Djokovic (2004-2005). Years later, Piatti also developed another prodigy — Sinner, guiding him from a raw teenager to 2022. The bond among these three seems destined: a lineage of mentor and pupil, champions and challengers continuing the legacy.

When Djokovic spoke about why he chose to mentor Sinner, he responded with his usual humility and sincerity: “Why do I do it? Because I feel… it’s natural. It makes sense to me. If someone asks me something, I have to be honest. Maybe others don’t want to share, but for me, it’s a pleasure.” These words not only show his selflessness but also reveal his philosophy — greatness is not about hoarding knowledge but passing on wisdom.

Three years later, the story seems to have come full circle. Now 38, the Serbian continues to push limits on court, still writing his legend. And that 2022 conversation still echoes — every time Sinner steps onto the court, its influence can be felt.

In the Six Kings semifinals in Riyadh, Sinner extended his winning streak against Djokovic, defeating the legend 6-4, 6-2 in just 63 minutes. This marked his seventh consecutive victory over the 24-time Grand Slam champion, including two wins in the Six Kings series.

Yet, despite winning, Sinner showed deep respect: “Seeing him still train and fight for these moments is truly amazing. His career achievements are incredible. I look up to him as a true idol, and it’s an honor to compete against him. I’m happy with today’s win and glad to continue seeing him on the court.”

Whether helping the next generation or continuing to rewrite history, Djokovic repeatedly proves that his greatness lies not only in the number of trophies but also in inspiring countless people to chase their dreams.

In 2022, Djokovic defeated third seed Ruud to claim his sixth ATP Finals title, tying Federer’s record, and solidified his place in history with a flawless performance. This victory made him one of the strongest season closers in tennis and added another crown jewel beyond his 24 Grand Slam titles.

Three years later, Djokovic remains remarkably consistent, once again qualifying for Turin. With four Grand Slam semifinal appearances, a Miami runner-up, a Shanghai Masters semifinal, and a Geneva title, he secured the ATP Finals spot with 4580 points.

However, as in previous years, whether he will actually compete remains uncertain. Fans and commentators are speculating if the tennis maestro will appear in Turin again. If he does, he will tie Federer’s record of 17 ATP Finals appearances — a testament to his longevity and brilliance. Currently, he is only registered for the ATP 250 event in Athens from November 2 to 8, hosted by his family, adding uncertainty to the future.

If he chooses to skip Turin, the ATP year-end rankings could be affected. Still, Djokovic’s fighting spirit remains high; he is eager to keep challenging records and redefine greatness. Time will tell: will Djokovic break records once more and carve his name even deeper into tennis history?(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Spark)