Jelena Gencic, who was Novak Djokovic’s first coach, has died. She was 76.
Serbia’s Tennis Federation says Gencic died Saturday. The cause of death was not given.
Gencic, who represented Yugoslavia at tennis and handball, picked Djokovic as an exceptional talent when she led a tennis camp in Serbia in the 1990s.
“I asked him what he wants to become when he grows up,” Gencic told the Associated Press. “Without hesitation, he said: ‘The No. 1 player in the world.'”
Top-ranked Djokovic is playing in the French Open, where he is seeded No. 1 and attempting to complete a career Grand Slam.
Djokovic defeated Grigor Dimitrov 6-2, 6-2, 6-3 in a third-round match Saturday. He was told of his former coach’s death after the match.
“Novak Djokovic learned of the death of his first coach, Jelena Gencic, who passed away today in Belgrade,” a statement released by French Open officials said. “Clearly affected by this sad news, Novak Djokovic feels unable to give a press conference this evening. He would like to send his apologies to the media.”
Media commentator Gencic also coached former Yugoslav and Serbian women’s tennis teams and played a role in advising Yugoslav and U.S. tennis great Monica Seles.
