Djokovic, he says, is more a friend than an idol, but there is no denying the fact that the famous Serbian pack, which includes Ana Ivanovic and Jelena Jankovic, has raised a lot of hopes. “Now, people are impressed when you tell them you’re a tennis player from Serbia. The indifference is gone. The support is growing, more money has begun to be invested, but things can still be a lot better. There are many, including Novak’s father, who are unhappy with the federation,” he says, speaking to Sportline.

Nevertheless, individual brilliance has outshone the inadequacies the 22-year-old speaks of, and it has all been achieved in the middle of adversity.

Ivanovic has spoken about her practice sessions in empty swimming pools while working her way up, and Savic explains that he, too, had to fall back on the unconventional way. “It was the only way to play on hard courts. In Serbia, there are 90 per cent clay courts and 10 per cent swimming pools. I began playing because of my father— he played Davis Cup for Yugoslavia. Things were even more difficult when he was playing.”

Savic trained at the same club with Jelena Jankovic while a junior, and jokingly claims he has a good record over his champion compatriot. “Novak and I have played tournaments together. He has beaten me four times, but I have managed to win twice,” he smiles.

It is his mind, says Savic, that provides him with the winner’s aura. “His power is his mental strength. His father took him to Germany to train at the Pilic Academy after he played here in Serbia for some time, and he was a very talented youngster. Like all of us, he and his family had to make many sacrifices. When you’re a tennis player in Serbia, you’re automatically starting at a level much below the players of other countries. But despite that, so many have managed to make it big. It is very encouraging,” he says.