Alexander Kovacevic reveals memory of John McEnroe: ‘One of the coolest experiences of my life’ | ATP Tour

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Kovacevic reveals McEnroe’s memory: ‘One of the coolest experiences of my life’

Kovacevic will face another ATP No. 1 club member Djokovic in Indian Wells

March 9, 2026

Alexander Kovacevic will step into Arena 1 on Monday at the BNP Paribas Open to face the player he has admired his entire life: Novak Djokovic. When he was seven, the American watched the Serbian play Gael Monfils courtside at the U.S. Open and even took a photo with the future PIF ATP No. 1 player.

The two met for the first time in the Lexus ATP Head2Head Series at Roland Garros in 2023, but their meeting at Flushing Meadows in 2005 remains a seminal moment in Kovacevic’s tennis career. Djokovic wasn’t the only legend the New Yorker was exposed to in his youth, though.

Aleksandar Kovacevic first met Novak Djokovic in 2005 and met the Serb in 2021. ” style=”width:100%;” src=”

Kovacevic was one of the first kids to receive a scholarship to the John McEnroe Tennis Academy on Randall’s Island. At the age of 11, “Kova” attended a tryout at the encouragement of coach Gilad Blum and began a long-lasting relationship with the incomparable southpaw McEnroe.

In 2010, Kovacevic took to the court to face off against his hometown hero at the World Team Tennis Championships at McEnroe’s eponymous academy. After the 11-year-old won the first point, McEnroe sprinted to the net on the second and Kovacevic hit a one-handed backhand pass for the winner, which was captured in a video that has since been viewed by thousands.

“I think that was the first time I met him when I was really little,” Kovacevic said. “I remember the racket was almost as big as me.”

Kovacevic moved elsewhere as a teenager to continue growing up, eventually playing college tennis at the University of Illinois. But his formative years were spent in McEnroe’s academy.

“It was really cool to see how well he had such a rapport with the kids, even back then,” Kovacevic said. “I feel like former pros in any sport — not necessarily tennis — but a lot of former sports legends have their names on their academies or put their names on the backs of a lot of projects. That doesn’t mean they’re really involved in it, and I feel like it’s rare to see them personally involved.

“The coolest thing about John to me is that he would go out and play with us, be super engaged, coach us all the way on the court, even though I was unknown. I was a 14, 15-year-old junior tennis player.”

The American has fond memories of McEnroe, who has risen to No. 54 in the world rankings, but it has nothing to do with tennis.

“My shoes were gone. I had no shoes at the time, and he said, ‘Oh, I have a pair at home in New York. Come and get them.’ And I was like, ‘Really?'” Kovacevic recalled. “So I ended up going to his place on 84th Street and he went to his place. He gave me a pair of shoes and wished me good luck. That was one of the coolest experiences of my life.”

Not only was McEnroe giving him a pair of shoes, but such an important figure in the history of the sport was looking out for him. During Kovicevic’s time with the JMTA, McEnroe often jumped on the court to compete with junior players.

“He didn’t want to lose either. Even with the kids, he wouldn’t let them fail,” Kovacevic said. “It’s always a good time when he comes out because as a player you can tell when someone’s taking it easy on you and he would never do that.”

There are many people who have had an impact on Kovacevic’s journey on the ATP Tour, such as Bloom. But McEnroe remained an important part of the American’s path and remains in touch with the top 100 player to this day.

“He’s very down to earth. It means a lot to me when I see the character of a guy like that, they don’t get too big for the little guy,” Kovacevic said. “I hope he’s proud of it. That kid he gave a scholarship to a long time ago is doing great in this sport.”