Moments after receiving the Norman Brookes challenge cup for a record seventh time, Novak Djokovic acknowledged the contribution of his team, featuring his coach Marian Vajda and his physio Ulises 'Uli' Badio.
Then the 31-year old Belgrade native added - after a brief pause - a big thank you to Edoardo and Elena, dubbing them "my favorite couple in the world".
So who are Edoardo and Elena? Edoardo Artaldi (known as ‘Dodo’) and his partner Elena Cappellaro are none other than Djokovic's two Italian managers.
Minutes after Djokovic earned his 15th Grand Slam title this year, SBS Italian met Artaldi and managed to speak with him about his life and career alongside Djokovic and his partner Elena.
Djokovic met Artaldi when the current world number one had just won a single major title (his maiden Australian Open, back in 2008) and signed a sponsorship contract with the Italian clothing brand Sergio Tacchini, which in the past had sponsored tennis greats,such as John McEnroe, Martina Hingis and Pete Sampras.
"We basically live together,” Artaldi tells SBS Italian. “Elena and I try to create the atmosphere he needs, given how much time he spend around the world and away from his family."
When Djokovic moved on from his sponsorship deal, he and Artaldi kept working together, and Artaldi left the Italian clothing brand to be Djokovic's manager. Since then he has become part of the Serb's family.
"We try to be as professional as possible, but now our relationship is rather personal,” he says. “We live together 24/7 and these nine years together have been really intense. Sometimes we even pull each others' ears."
Listen to SBS Italian's exlcusive interview (in Italian) with Edoardo Artaldi above
The current tennis world number one never separated from Edoardo nor his partner Elena - even when at the end of 2017, he rolled over the makeup of his team, from his coach to his physio.
"Like in all sports, when things don't work or when an athlete feels like he needs a change, the technical staff is the one held responsible,” says Artaldi of Djokovic’s changed team. “Plus we've been together for such a long time."
Asked what the most memorable parts of his time alongside Djokovic are, Artaldi says the tennis champion’s dicey 2018 elbow surgery and summiting of world rankings stand out for him.
Jelena Djokovic e Dodo Artaldi Source: Getty Images
"I'll never forget the delicate moment Novak decided to undergo the operation,” he says. “But maybe the most unforgettable one is the reception we got when we flew back to Serbia after he won Wimbledon in 2011 and reached the number one spot."
As for Djokovic’s future, and whether he can eclipse the success of Roger Federer’s 20 Grand Slam tournament victories, Artaldi backs his man.
"Novak has [now] won three Grand Slams in a row and made it look simple, but it's not,” he says. “It's clear that Federer's 20 record is in his reach, but Roger proved he can still win more. Let's see, one by one."
