Djokovic then went on to elucidate that he wish to return the sporting favour by travelling to observe one in every of Mourinho’s groups compete, although admitted that he thinks he has been sat within the stands when the ‘Special One’ has been pitchside at Real Madrid. He continued: “Hopefully, I can return the favour and go watch his team when he's coaching because I don't think I've ever done that.

“Maybe, maybe Real Madrid. When he was in Madrid, I went to watch a couple of times and yeah, just the Special One, as they call him, came to see me. So I'm very happy. Thank you.” It stays to be seen if Mourinho and Djokovic cross paths once more on the Italian Open, or their subsequent assembly will likely be at Roma’s Stadio Olimpico.