Who was Novak Djokovic's first tennis coach?

Novak Djokovic’s first tennis coach was Jelena Genčić. He met the celebrated Serbian coach at a tennis camp near his family’s restaurant when he was four years old, and she quickly recognized his unusual talent and concentration.

Genčić had been a successful player and coach, and she also worked with future champions including Monica Seles and Goran Ivanišević. With Djokovic, she emphasized technique, discipline, movement, and the mental side of competition. She introduced him to a serious, structured approach to tennis during his formative years.

Genčić remained an important influence even after Djokovic moved to Germany as a young player to train at Nikola Pilić’s academy. That later connection is a common source of confusion: Pilić was a major developmental coach, but Genčić was Djokovic’s first coach and early mentor. Djokovic has repeatedly credited her with helping shape both his game and his competitive character.