Amazing moment Novak Djokovic meets 'oldest fan' during Eurosport interview after reaching Australian Open quarters

Novak Djokovic has been wowing crowds worldwide for the best part of two decades with his astonishing tennis. But while he has his legions of supporters, there is one man who can claim to be his oldest fan. Janola Stoika was courtside when Djokovic first qualified for the Australian Open main draw as a 17-year-old, and now the 24-time major winner finally had a chance to meet the man himself.

Novak Djokovic beat Jiri Lehecka in straight sets 6-3 7-4 7-6(4) to advance to the Australian Open quarter-finals on Rod Laver Arena, but the Serbian player spent much of the latter stages of the match interacting with fans.

The crowds in Melbourne have not always been kind to players - just ask Danielle Collins - but there was one man who was definitely in total support of Djokovic as he set about dismantling his opponent’s game. 

Janola Stoika’s support of Djokovic stretches all the way back to 2005, when Djokovic played Marat Safin in the first round, losing convincingly to the two-time Grand Slam champion after coming through qualifying as a 17-year-old.

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"Twenty years ago, I met Novak Djokovic when he was qualifying for the Australian Open," Stoika, standing alongside the star, told Eurosport's Barbara Schett.

"He played Marat Safin, and of course, lost in straight sets - but Safin said he’d had a very good hit and was a very promising player.

"I was watching him - I was his only fan at the time, imagine that, because there was no one here from Serbia.

"We met next year as well, also he was qualifying and he qualified. I could see he improved, improved his serve, improved his speed. 

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"I talked to him again and I said ‘look, you want to be really good, No. 1 player? Get Marian Vajda as your coach, he’s going to take you to No. 1’ - and he did. I haven’t seen him since, but anyway - I’m very proud."

Djokovic followed that advice, Vajda ending up in his corner for 20 of his 24 Grand Slam victories across a 15-year period that garnered incredible success.

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But Djokovic had not seen the man responsible for sowing the seeds of that successful partnership since 2006 - until this year, when Stoika and his wife were able to join Djokovic’s interview with Eurosport's Barbara Schett.

"Was that 20 years ago?" Djokovic asked with incredulity as he finally came face-to-face with his oldest fan, before confirming that Vajda’s appointment was "absolutely" due to Stoika’s recommendation. 

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"It is amazing to see them after all these years, thank you very much for your support," Djokovic added. 

The Serbian will play Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter-finals, as he bids for that record 25th Grand Slam title. 

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