Novak Djokovic may have shot himself in the foot as Serbian acts as peacemaker

Novak Djokovic's latest training session could come back to haunt him as the Serb strikes with Holger Rune. The 19-year-old upset Djokovic in the Paris Masters final last November and could have understood his game better thanks to their stunt together. Djokovic also acted as a peacemaker between Rune and Stan Wawrinka, who previously exchanged shots at the net.

Djokovic is preparing to return to competition in Monte Carlo after being banned from entering the United States for the sunny swing. And his choice of sparring partners caught the eye, as the world No. 1 posted a photo posing alongside Rune and Wawrinka.

The Dane and the 38-year-old have been involved in some drama lately, trading barbs at the net after meeting in Indian Wells last month. It meant fans were stunned to see the two pose with Djokovic, who is now seen as the peacemaker between the two.

It comes after Wawrinka told Rune he was a 'crybaby' after losing their Paris Masters match in November, and the world No. 8 hit back last month. When the former world No. 3 won his third-round match at Indian Wells, Rune confronted him at the net and asked, "Have you got anything to say now?"

The three-time Major champion later told French reporters that the rising star was "building a reputation in the locker room that he will one day regret". While Wawrinka may believe Rune is gaining a negative reputation, the 19-year-old has already proven himself on the tennis court by stunning Djokovic in Paris last year.

At the time, the world No. 1 hadn't lost a match at the Paris Masters since the 2018 final, but Rune came back from a set down to snap Djokovic's 13-game streak in Paris - Bercy. He won the biggest title of his young career and broke into the top 10, earning an alternate spot at the ATP Finals.

With Rune already capable of beating Djokovic, the 22-time Grand Slam champion may have shot himself in the foot by inviting his rival to a training session. After their Paris Masters match, the teenager opened up about how he dug in to upset the world No.1 and he will now have even more insight into his tactics for their next encounter.