Jessica Pegula has backed amid the debate sparked by his recent comments at the

The was divided after Djokovic suggested the sport should evolve to become more of an entertainment spectacle like the or The 24-time Grand Slam winner - who faces in the Australian Open quarter-finals on Tuesday - urged tennis to innovate to attract younger fans.

"Why not consider doing something between sets like the or the NBA? When there's a timeout, they bring in dancers and this and that," he said on Friday. "I wouldn't have a problem with that. Good dancers, you know, there for a few more minutes of break so I can relax and think about something else [smiles]."

Pegula - whose billionaire parents, Terry and Kim, own the franchise - hinted change could be good for the sport. Despite often being embroiled in controversy, Djokovic found support from Pegula, who critiqued tennis for its old-fashioned ways.

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"Tennis has always been a stuffy, arrogant sport," she said at a press conference. "Back in the days before social media, you had so much more personality in tennis, probably because those things didn't stay with you forever.

"I think that shows even when people think Novak [Djokovic] is the bad guy or Nick [Kyrgios] is the bad guy and things like that. I think fans like to assume they know and they put these people in those roles."

Despite facing backlash from some during the Australian Open, Djokovic has made it to the quarter-finals in Melbourne. The 37-year-old stalwart - who was infamously for not having the required Covid-19 vaccination - has been met with boos and jeers from some Aussie spectators.

He recently after Channel 9 News reporter Tony Jones mocked him and his Serb fans during a TV segment. Although Jones has since apologised, Djokovic may still be bracing for a hostile reception in Tuesday's quarter-final.

Pegula, on the other hand, ended her Australian Open journey after losing to Olga Danilovic in the third round. The 30-year-old heiress - whose family fortune is estimated at around £6.3billion ($7.7bn) - knows a thing or two about American sports entertainment as her father owns both the Bills and NHL team the Buffalo Sabres.

As such, she might be more driven than most to see Djokovic's ideas implemented to boost interest. This comes as racket sports like Pickleball and padel have seen a surge in popularity, raising concerns that tennis could suffer as a result.