Novak Djokovic and Latvian pro Ernests Gulbis 'always punched each other' while training at the Pilic Academy during their early years, it has been claimed.
The world No 2 is currently in the spotlight following his defeat to Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon earlier this month.
Djokovic has always been a mentality monster, a player willing to do whatever it takes to secure the biggest prizes on offer.
That, in part, explains why he has 23 Grand Slam titles to his name.
Ernests Gulbis and Novak Djokovic 'would always punch each other' during tennis academy days
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And Cosmin Georgescu, who roomed with Djokovic during the Serb's time at the Pilic Academy, has now revealed the 36-year-old and Gulbis would often allow their tempers to boil over.
Speaking to ProSport, he said: “Djokovic knew Pilic and after a while Ernest Gulbis arrived too.
“Two different characters, Djokovic and Gulbis. Completely different but when they were both on the pitch, no one could take them off except after six to eight hours of training a day."
He added: “They broke rackets, they argued, they punched each other, they always punched each other.
"Two ambitious characters who rarely meet, proud and determined."
Djokovic and Gulbis have met eight times throughout their careers so far.
And it's the Serb who has the better record, winning on seven separate occasions with his most recent victory coming at Wimbledon in 2017.
Gulbis' sole win over Djokovic came all the way back in 2009 in Australia.
Georgescu, meanwhile, has fond memories of training with Djokovic and shed light on their relationship.
“Nole was my first roommate at Croatian tennis legend Nikki Pilic’s tennis academy," he stated.
"Pilic put me in a room with Djokovic. There were other guys, both Croatian and Serbian, even Russian."
The two even shared a drink, with Georgescu saying: “I was with Djokovic for the first time in my life in a Munich bar.
"I drank my first glass of alcohol with Nole.
“He was older, already more mature. He took me to that bar and offered me a cocktail saying: ‘To my good Romanian friend!’ It was my first experience while trying to get used to life in Germany.
"And just with Djokovic.”
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Novak Djokovic is in the spotlight following his recent Wimbledon final defeat
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Djokovic has made it clear he'll now focus on only the biggest titles as he looks to bounce back from his recent defeat to Alcaraz.
The 36-year-old had gone into the final as the favourite, particularly given he'd won the last four men's titles.
But Djokovic was unable to build on a promising start and ended up losing in five sets to an opponent 16 years his junior.
He'll be hoping to make amends when the US Open gets started on August 28.
Djokovic has missed the last two tournaments at Flushing Meadows but is now poised to return, with his vaccination status previously denying him the chance to take part.
