Novak Djokovic failed early at the Masters in Indian Wells. The Serbian nevertheless received much praise: from boxing icon Mike Tyson, whose daughter Milan demanded the former number one as a hitting partner.
Mike Tyson seemed proud – but also somehow moved. The way a father looks when his little daughter’s heart’s desire comes true. Nine-year-old Milan Tyson was not very nervous when she hit a few balls with Novak Djokovic at the edge of the million-dollar spectacle in Indian Wells. Good prerequisites if you want to succeed in your professional career.
And it shall. Absolutely. The aim is Milan’s participation in Wimbledon in 2030, “Iron Mike” recently revealed. That’s what Daddy Cool, the former heavyweight world champion and ear-biter, does. Of course you can also collect balls during the training sessions. The 51-year-old likes to call himself “Tennis Dad” and “Tennis Ballboy”. Career after career – so to speak.
The little daughter has unquestionable talent and is already training in the junior program “NetGeneration” of the US-American Tennis Federation (USTA). Among her sponsors are Nick Saviano and Robert Lansdorp, who once coached Maria Sharapova, Pete Sampras, Lindsay Davenport and Tracy Austin.
The audience has already taken Milan Tyson to heart. When she “annoyed” Djokovic with a volley winner, the people on the edge of the training court applauded stormy. A little later someone shouted: “Great shot, go Tyson!” Milan himself, an ardent Serena Williams fan by the way, humbly thanked “Nole” at the end of the unit. Papa Mike was stormier: “You’re her idol, thank you,” the ex-boxer said to Djokovic. To be continued.
Other professionals were also photographed with Mike Tyson: Among them French Open Champion Jelena Ostapenko from Latvia.