Hamad Medjedovic recently opened up on the advice he received from compatriot Novak Djokovic that has completely changed his mindset.
Medjedvic, 20, is one of the brightest young talents to come from Serbia - the same country that unearthed one of the greatest tennis players in history in Djokovic. The youngster's humble beginnings have drawn comparisons to the 24-time Grand Slam champion's own start.
For instance, Medjedovic did not have the luxury of hiring an adequate coaching team, with financial constraints putting his career in limbo. But Djokovic, who first met him when he was only 10, offered to help the young upstart by providing him with mentorship and financial resources to start off.
Medjedovic turned pro in 2021 in his late teenage years and has climbed the ATP rankings in a flash. He is on the cusp of breaking the world's Top 100. Last year, he won the Next Gen ATP Finals tournament, which is the ATP's flagship junior tournament pooling the best young players aged 21 and under.
Having practiced with Djokovic frequently, the 20-year-old recently appeared as a guest on the YouTube podcast Reketiranje, where he revealed how his experienced compatriot inculcated self-belief in his game in order to become a top player.
"Something Novak told me about four or five years ago when I was finishing my junior career, we practiced and he called me to meet him and said, 'You have to start believing in your shots and your tennis. You have the game to become a top player. You've got a game, you just have to never doubt it."
"That's what I'm left with and what I remember – believe in your shots, believe you can do it. When you hear that from Novak, who is the best tennis player of all time, then you start thinking a little bit."
Currently ranked world No. 107, Medjedovic has played one tournament in 2024, losing to Abedallah Shelbayh in the second round of qualifying at the Australian Open. He has been sidelined by illness since then, pulling out from Serbia's Davis Cup qualifying tie against Slovakia.
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