Djokovic on hitting partner: “He contributes both logistically and analytically”

When Novak Djokovic announced his team for the upcoming season at the start of the year, there was a name not many people expected to see – Carlos Gómez-Herrera.

The surprise wasn’t so much Gomez himself, but the fact that Djokovic until that point never had a hitting partner traveling year-round with him.

Djokovic and Gomez met 15 years ago in Madrid, back when the tournament in the Spanish capital was being held indoors.

“He is the best friend of my middle brother Marko and one of mine best friends,” said Djokovic at Wimbledon, where he is through to the fourth round.

Two years ago, Djokovic and Gomez-Herrera reached the finals in Mallorca in doubles. Throughout his own professional career, the 33-year old Spaniard won 10 Futures titles and reached No 268 in singles.

“Carlos played a lot of tournaments with Marko, so he became a member of our family in a way, a person we are really close to. We practiced together many times while he was still playing. Last year, when he decided to retire, we talked and I wished for him to join the team. Goran (Ivanisevic) and the rest of the team agreed.”

Known by his nickname Charly, Gomez is a pleasant man who gave Djokovic the freedom to work on tactical details opponents don’t need to know about.

“Apart from being a hitting partner and an assistant coach, Charly is a very well organized person. He is contributing to our team both logistically and analytically,” commented Djokovic.

From Novak to Stefan: Lob is in Djokovic’ genes

From time to time, though, Gomez has strong competition for the hitting partner job – Novak’s eight-year old son, Stefan.

As Djokovic said in the past, Stefan enjoys to be the part of the whole process when his dad is preparing for the match, warm-up included. Ahead of the match against Stan Wawrinka, Stefan lobbed Novak, bringing laughter to everyone on the court.

“Goran (Ivanisevic) always jokes that lobs are in our blood, that Stefan inherited it from me – whenever someone is on the net, there is a lob coming 99 percent of the time (laughing). Today, Stefan lured me in with a drop shot before he lobbed me.”

Djokovic reiterated how big of an importance it is for him to have his family present with him during the tournament.

“For me, it’s a huge pleasure to be able to play tennis with my son. Just that feeling alone that my son loves and wants to play the sport I’ve dedicated my life to… It’s beautiful. When we’re together on the court, there is not a better feeling in the world.”

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