Djokovic upstaged by nine-year-old pop singer

Novak Djokovic marched into the US Open fourth round on Saturday before happily being upstaged by a precocious, nine-year-old pop singer. Djokovic had defeated Sam Querrey 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 and then batted off a series of routine post-match questions from the media. But he then invited Zia Uehling, the daughter of a family friend, onto the platform to perform her impromptu act. 

‘She’s a prodigy, a future star, and this is a very valuable experience for her. In a few years time she will be a big star and she’ll be up on this stage,’ said Djokovic.

Zia said: ‘I have written five songs....and I have about two books that I’m working on right now,’ then rattled off one of her own compositions to the watching media. 

‘I will sing an original song I wrote called African Sun. I wrote this song to give hope to the children in Africa. I never really play without my guitar, so I’ll give it a try.’ Zia is the daughter of Peter Uehling, a former pro and close friend of Djokovic since the world number one’s teenage years. The Serb stays at the Uehling house at Alpine, New Jersey, when he is at the US Open.