Novak Djokovic has been honest about how he lived those days in Australia pending whether or not he could play the first Grand Slam of the season. The Serbian has assured that it hurt him how his teammates looked at him while he was training at Melbourne Park while waiting for the final decision on his continuity on Aussie soil. The one from Belgrade has also told how the final between Rafa Nadal and Daniil Medvedev was experienced at his home.
In addition to ensuring that he will not be vaccinated even if it is difficult for him to give up titles, Novak Djokovic has also spoken about how he lived through those days of uncertainty in Australia, while deciding whether or not he could play the first Grand Slam of the season. The Serbian knew he was the center of all eyes, among his teammates, the press, etc. “It was not the normal training days that I would normally have before competing in a Grand Slam. He had helicopters flying over every session at Rod Laver Arena, cameras everywhere,” Djokovic recalled.
One of the most difficult things for Nole was the atmosphere that was found in the Melbourne Park facilities, with the rest of the players on the circuit. “Also, I felt that energy and those looks from my colleagues and from other people who were in the tennis facilities… that really hurt me a lot,” said the ATP number one.
“And obviously, I understand that they had a perception that was based on what they were seeing in the media. At that time, I really wanted to talk to everyone and give my explanation,” Djokovic said in the interview with the BBC .
The Djokovic, divided between Nadal and Medvedev
Novak Djokovic also acknowledged that he saw the final of the Australian Open between Rafa Nadal and Daniil Medvedev and from which the Spaniard emerged as the male tennis player with the most Grand Slams in history. The Serbian confessed that he remained neutral and did not go with anyone, although in his family there were those who supported the Russian and those who supported the Spanish.
“My wife was cheering for Medvedev, my son was cheering for Nadal and every point Rafa made, Stefan jumped. It was difficult for me to watch the game. I was very neutral, I didn’t encourage anyone because I really wanted to be there. But I had fun,” Djokovic said.
The Serbian also told as an anecdote that his son Stefan is a big fan of the Balearic tennis player and that he wants to take a picture with him. ‘When is the next tournament you’re going to play with him?’ he asked me. ‘I would love to take a picture with him,’ he told me,” Djokovic said of the conversation with his son.
