Novak Djokovic has dominated tennis for two decades, but that doesn’t stop him supporting the new breed of the game.
In 2023, Djokovic said Holger Rune was ‘similar’ to him and he’s also been full of praise for the likes of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.
Astonishingly, Djokovic is still the third best player in the world despite the star turning 39 years of age next year.
After defeating Dino Prižmić in the first round of the Australian Open in 2024, Djokovic was full of praise for the Croatian.
Novak Djokovic’s huge praise for Dino Prižmić in 2024
Djokovic defeated Prižmić in four sets as he looked to defend his Australian Open crown as the world number one.
Despite his straightforward victory against the teenager, Djokovic was stunned by the level of his opponent.
Speaking at his Australian Open, the Serbian said: “I love the way he uses every inch of the court. He is comfortable coming in, he defends incredibly well.
“Just an amazing performance for someone who is 18 years old and never had an experience of playing on a big stage.
“Big kudos to him and his team, and I certainly want to be in his corner, so hopefully he will invite me because he is going to do some big things in his career. I had an amazing opponent tonight.
“For an 18-year-old, he played so maturely and confidently on the court, fighting through, not giving up even when he was four down in the fourth set. Impressed with his mentality, with his approach, with his game.”
Djokovic said the mental side of Prižmić’s game was just as good as his athletic ability and he tipped him to reach the very top.
He added: “I hear a lot of positive stories about his discipline, his dedication to everyday routines that are making him so physically strong already at 18 and successful. If he continues this way, he’s going to have a very bright career ahead of him, no doubt. I think it’s probably more helpful at the beginning [of a match].
Novak Djokovic would be the undisputed GOAT if he won Grand Slam number 25 – could anyone argue otherwise?
“There were some gruelling rallies, very physical games. Almost four hours for four sets. It felt at some point I was playing myself in a mirror already.”
Despite Djokovic’s huge praise for the youngster, his career has not quite mapped out in a way the Serbian expected it to.
Dino Prižmić’s career trajectory since losing to Novak Djokovic
Prižmić has won just three ATP-level matches since losing to Djokovic in the first round of the Australian Open.
He didn’t win a single match on the ATP Tour in 2023 following the defeat, where he was mostly restricted to Challenger appearances.
The star has fared better in 2025, where he has picked up three victories. The star won two matches on home soil in Croatia at the ATP 230 event in Umag.
Prižmić beat Elmer Moller and Nikoloz Basilashvili before falling to Luciano Darderi in three sets in the quarterfinal.
The Croatian followed that up two months later with arguably his biggest win of his career against Cincinnati Open semi-finalist Terence Atmane in Chengdu. Prižmić was then defeated by Lorenzo Musetti at the tournament.
Prižmić is yet to crack the top 100 of the rankings, and he holds a career-high of world number 115. He currently occupies the World No. 128 position.
