Novak Djokovic has revealed his plans for after he retires from tennis, with the Serb's currently focused on winning a 25th Grand Slam title at the US Open.
The 38-year-old has offered his clearest hint yet that his life in the sport will not end once he puts the racquet down.
Speaking at Flushing Meadows after starting his US Open campaign, the Serbian great revealed that coaching is firmly on his radar – and even joked about who might be his first student.
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“My plan after I retire from tennis is to coach [Joao] Fonseca,” Djokovic said.
Novak Djokovic has revealed his plans for after he retires from tennis, with the Serb's currently focused on winning a 25th Grand Slam title at the US Open
|REUTERS
“I’m going to be very expensive for him, so be ready.”
The comment was delivered with a smile, but it has sparked real intrigue. For many in the game, the idea of Djokovic guiding one of the brightest young prospects on the ATP Tour feels more than just a throwaway remark.
Fonseca, just 19, has been one of the breakout names of the year and is already tipped to become Brazil’s first true men’s superstar in decades.
He has appeared in all four Grand Slams this year and has wasted little time making headlines.
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After winning the Next Gen ATP Finals at the end of last season, Fonseca stormed through Australian Open qualifying before stunning No 9 seed Andrey Rublev in the first round of the main draw.
A month later, he captured his maiden ATP Tour title by beating home favourite Francisco Cerundolo in Buenos Aires, becoming the 10th-youngest champion in ATP history.
His momentum has hardly slowed. In March he added the Arizona Tennis Classic Challenger crown, and during the clay swing he reached the third round at Roland Garros by brushing aside Hubert Hurkacz.
Wimbledon brought another third-round appearance, this time halted by Britain’s Jack Draper.
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"My plan after I retire is to coach Fonseca. I'm going to be very expensive for him." 😅@DjokerNole, @CocoGauff and more play the question train! pic.twitter.com/mWJPZ7t5kT
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 25, 2025
What has stood out almost as much as the results is the atmosphere surrounding him.
Fonseca’s matches are regularly backed by raucous Brazilian fans who see him as the long-awaited male counterpart to Beatriz Haddad Maia.
That support was in full voice again on Monday when Fonseca beat Miomir Kecmanovic – a Serbian compatriot of Djokovic – in straight sets at Flushing Meadows.
The result maintained a perfect record of 12-0 in sets during the opening rounds of Grand Slam tournaments in his career.
For Brazil, Fonseca already represents hope. For tennis fans, the thought of him working under Djokovic’s tutelage is tantalising.
After all, no one in the men’s game has more experience of winning major titles. Djokovic’s 24 Slam crowns put him two ahead of Rafael Nadal and four clear of Roger Federer.
Other greats have flirted with coaching.
Nadal briefly worked with Alexander Zverev in Mallorca, while Andy Murray teamed up with Djokovic earlier this year.
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Joao Fonseca is considered one of the brightest tennis talents out there
|REUTERS
Federer, meanwhile, has largely kept his distance from the tour.
Djokovic is next in action against Zachary Svajda, who will have the backing of the home crowd, on Wednesday.
As for Fonseca, the teenager is due to face Tomas Machac that same day.