Novak Djokovic has conquered almost every tennis record and earned the adulation of fellow Serb Jelena Jankovic.
The former WTA No. 1 last played on the professional scene at the 2017 US Open. However, she formally retired from the sport in July 2022. During her indefinite break from tennis, Jankovic partnered with Djokovic in playing in the ill-fated Adria Tour in 2020.
Since then, Jankovic has made few public appearances and maintained a low profile on social media. Even when she gave birth to her first child in 2021, tennis fans only learned of the news through the Serbian press.
Recently, Jankovic spoke to Slovenian publication Dnevnik in a rare interview. The 39-year-old expressed her admiration for the current men's No. 1, Djokovic. She revealed that she has maintained close contact with the 24-time Grand Slam champion but only speaks with him occasionally.
"We talk occasionally, but I regularly congratulate him on his successes, which are almost inhuman in my terms."
Jankovic referred to Djokovic as a "true ambassador" of Serbian tennis. However, as age slowly catches up with him, the retired WTA star believes Djokovic has nothing left to prove because he has broken all the records.
Her wish is that the 36-year-old will "build" on the current milestones before he steps away from the limelight, although not anytime soon. She opined that the 98-time ATP titlist has no limits to what he can achieve for the remainder of his career.
"He is a true ambassador of our country, who has improved all records. I want him to build on them and later enjoy with his family for the rest of his life. There are no boundaries for him."
Djokovic withdrew from this week's Miami Open, citing the need to balance his private and professional life. He is targeting a return on the European clay swing, which begins in the first week of April. He is scheduled to play his first tournament on the dirt in Monte Carlo.
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