GOOD NEWS: Novak Djokovic appoints new coat coach.

Former world No 1 Andy Roddick has likened rising WTA star Mirra Andreeva to tennis legend Novak Djokovic because of the “nuanced” game she plays. 

The 2003 US Open champion assessed that Andreeva “wins her points is in a similar fashion” to Djokovic as he described the 17-year-old as “a magician at switching directions.”

Andreeva achieved her best run at a big tournament to date by reaching the quarter-finals at the WTA 1000 event in Madrid last week.

The Russian was beaten by eventual runner-up Aryna Sabalenka after earning wins over Taylor Townsend, Linda Noskova, Marketa Voundrousova and Jasmine Paolini.

The 17-year-old fell to a 2-6, 3-6 loss to former world No 2 Paula Badosa in the opening round of the Italian Open today.

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Novak Djokovic’s new mentor explains partnership as Serb weighs up coaching himself

Novak Djokovic has been working with Nenad Zimonjic since splitting with his long-time coach.

Nenad Zimonjic has opened up on his mentorship role with Novak Djokovic as the world No. 1 weighs up whether he will hire a new coach or go alone. The Serb split with Goran Ivanisevic in March and Zimonjic was later seen accompanying him at practice sessions and the Monte-Carlo Masters. But no official decision has been made on whether the retired doubles champion will join his team full-time.

Djokovic’s team looks unrecognisable compared to what it was just 18 months ago. The 24-time Grand Slam champion has changed up his agents, physio and fitness trainer and, most notably, parted ways with his coach of five years.

The 36-year-old announced his shock split with Ivanisevic two months ago, with the pair deciding to end their partnership after having a conversation in Miami. Djokovic has not yet officially hired a replacement coach and isn’t sure whether he will, but he has been seen working with Zimonjic.

An eight-time Grand Slam champion in doubles, Zimonjic has now addressed his partnership with Djokovic and explained how it came about. “Novak asked me, Can you be there for the training sessions, for the matches? Because I know him very well,” he said during an appearance on the Majstorija TV show.