@yannicknoah / Tennis TV (DR)
By Pierre-Andréa Fraile | Sports journalist
Three-time winner of Roland-Garros, Novak Djokovic has left his mark on the history of the tournament, just like Yannick Noah before him. He also spoke at length about the former French tennis player during the 2023 edition of the Parisian Grand Slam.
Like Roger Federer, he had to submit for a long time to the domination of Rafael Nadal and wait his turn to unlock his Porte d’Auteuil counter. Finally, it was in 2016 that Novak Djokovic won Roland-Garros for the first time, taking advantage of the abandonment of the master of the place. Since then, he has won twice again, doing better than a certain Yannick Noah before him.
Novak Djokovic’s big speech on Yannick Noah
Crowned on the Parisian ocher in 2021, after having notably knocked down Nadal in the semi-final, Djokovic did it again two years later, this time again in the absence of his Spanish rival. Easy winner of Casper Ruud in the final (7-6, 6-3, 7-5), he thus became the record holder for the greatest number of Grand Slam tournaments won (23), and received his third Coupe des Mousquetaires from the hands… of Noah:
Yannick Noah???????? & Novak Djokovic ????????#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/1NTISOstZg
— Tennis HQ ???? (@AllAboutHQ) June 11, 2023
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What followed was the Serb’s traditional victory speech, during which he obviously thanked his coach, his team, his loved ones… as well as the latest French winner to date:
I would like to say that I am very honored that Yannick Noah is with us today, for the 40th anniversary of his victory here.
I was very, very young when you retired from tennis, but I watched your videos with great joy. I loved your enthusiasm, which you carried over into the world of music after your career in tennis. What you bring to people, that type of positivity and energy, it’s really something special. So it’s great to have you here. Thank you so much.
Warm words from Nole which inevitably touched their recipient. This, even if the latter gave a much less flattering speech towards the Djoker shortly before that. Indeed, in the debate opposing him to Nadal and Federer, Noah does not make him his favorite player and does not hesitate to deliver his arguments. This probably does not prevent him from respecting him reciprocally.
Touched by the presence of Yannick Noah for winning his 23rd Grand Slam, Novak Djokovic then showed all his admiration and gratitude towards the Frenchman. A beautiful tribute that the short Philippe-Chatrier knew how to appreciate.
2023-11-30 18:50:00
#Novak #Djokovics #honest #opinion #Yannick #Noah #am…
