Borna Coric has a thirst for self-improvement and a juicy new alliance with his mentor.
The 18-year-old Croatian phenom took time out from training for this weekend's Davis Cup tie against Serbia tie to join forces with compatriot and mentor Goran Ivanisevic.
Borna Coric Talks About Dreamy Dubai Experience
The pair filmed a commercial for Juicy, Croatia's largest juice brand.
Coric tweeted out this shot with the 2001 Wimbledon champion.
Reigning U.S. Open champion Marin Cilic, who is coached by Ivanisevic, remains sidelined with a shoulder injury that has prevented him from playing this season.
"We had expected a miracle, but Cilic is not ready for five-sets matches," Croatian captain Zeljko Krajan told the media in Kraljevo, ahead of a battle between archrivals and former Davis Cup champions.
In the lone prior meeting between the nations, Serbia prevailed, 4-1, in the 2010 quarterfinals.
In Cilic's absence, the 61st-ranked Coric will be the Croatian No. 1 against a strong Serbian team that includes world No. 1 Novak Djokovic, No. 41 Viktor Troicki, Filip Krajinovic and Grand Slam doubles champion Nenad Zimonjic. Djokovic, Troicki and Zimonjic were all members of Serbia's 2010 Davis Cup championship team.
This weekend's tie should provide the first meeting between Djokovic and sometime practice partner Coric.
Playing Coric is like facing the man in the mirror, Djokovic said.
"I try to help him because I see, in a way, myself through him. I've never felt that way when I practice with somebody as I felt with him," Djokovic told the media in Dubai last week. "It's like playing myself. Very similar game. Great fighting spirit, disciplined, focused, committed, confident, very young but confident, which is important."
Ivanisevic also sees championship qualities in Coric and has trained extensively with the teenager.
Photo credit: @borna_coric