Serbian number one WTA player explains what her relationship with Novak Djokovic is like after playing doubles with him

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Olga Danilovic has lifted the lid on her relationship with compatriot Novak Djokovic.

Danilovic played doubles with Djokovic at the US Open, as part of the new revamped mixed event.

Despite both being from Serbia, Danilovic and Djokovic lost in the first round to the team of Daniil Medvedev and Mirra Andreeva.

This is not the only time they have played alongside each other, with Danilovic and Djokovic also teaming up for the 2024 United Cup.

Olga Danilovic reveals what her relationship with Novak Djokovic is really like

Unlike their more recent match together, Danilovic and Djokovic won their mixed doubles match together at the United Cup.

Danilovic has now been asked about her relationship with Djokovic on the Tennis Insider Club podcast, with the world number 67 having only positive things to say about her compatriot.

The 24-year-old described Djokovic as a ‘friend’ and explained that he is always open to talking and giving advice to her.

Danilovic also spoke about how she felt playing doubles with Djokovic, and how emotional she felt when he won Olympic gold in Paris.

“He is very involved with Serbian tennis, I would say Balkan, he’s very open to us to speak about all the things,” said Danilovic. “And when you’re young and you have no idea what’s happening, you know asking him and him giving you advice it’s very different.

“When you speak to him…after I’ve finished the conversation I’m like ‘Give me a racket I’m going to beat everyone’, because you feel like he really mastered the game. Especially his mentality and the way he’s dealing with a lot of things and I’m very proud that I can call him my friend.

“We speak I would say often, I went to different types of advice. As you said, the successful people don’t judge, I never felt uncomfortable, ‘Is it going to sound stupid if I say that I s*** my pants before this match or these things?’. The United Cup we played together in mixed doubles, I was tight and then next level tight.

“I’m like I cannot miss one ball, my goal is to play like a superhero today, and I mean we won and it was such a nice moment. I felt when the last point, I think he did the volley and I went kind of like we won, because I wanted it so much and I felt like…you know, I’m not going to disappoint you. You didn’t disappoint me by playing with me, I’m not going to disappoint you, I’m going to play the best.

“So that was a really bucket list moment for me. You know, when we were walking on the court I remember I saw on the big screen and I saw Serbian and we play for Serbia and he is more passionate, and I see myself walking and I see him behind walking and I’m like ‘Oh my God, we’re stepping on’.

“His best advice, I don’t know I can never tell you like one thing that he told me, but it’s more of the mental toughness that he has. For me, every time I watch him I’m like ‘How man? How?’, and I don’t know this Olympics that he won, I think it was the most emotional day in our whole country, I think everyone was crying.

“…So, I would just say that the way he is representing himself and the way that whenever we speak, like he’s very true to himself and that’s what I honour the most with him that he’s really true to himself, where whatever he does, that’s what he feels. So, I would say maybe do what you feel like doing. It’s what he shows us every day and I take it as the best, best advice.”

What Novak Djokovic said he liked about Olga Danilovic in 2017

The respect between the two players clearly goes two ways, as Djokovic had high praise for Danilovic in 2017, when she was just 16 years old.

Danilovic was already a three-time Grand Slam junior doubles champion, and Djokovic appeared to have high hopes for her future at the time.

“Olga Danilovic is fantastic, I like her attitude and courage in the field very much,” Djokovic told Serbian newspaper Novosti in 2017.

“This dose of positive boldness is required to break through, impose. With enormous talent, and exceptional work, I think Olga will soon be our real star.”

While Danilovic is not a household name on the WTA Tour, she has found success which includes winning her first title at just 17 years old in Moscow.

After battling with illness, Danilovic has since made her way back up the rankings and has reached the fourth round of both the Australian Open and the French Open, as well as winning her second WTA title in Guangzhou.

Danilovic has a career-high ranking of world number 32, but is currently outside the top 60.

While Danilovic is still in the early stages of her career, there are many questions over when 38-year-old Djokovic could retire from tennis.