MADRID, 22 Abr. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic assured this Monday that he feels “a lot of respect for a legend” like the Spanish Rafa Nadal, with whom he hopes to be able to “play at least once” before he retires, and warned that his goal is to achieve “the perfect level of tennis” after an irregular start at Roland Garros.
“I have a lot of respect for Rafa, he is a good person and a legend of our sport, he is my most important rival. In Australia I said that I hoped we could see him in one or two tournaments and I hope to be able to play with him at least once,” Djokovic stated before the media after winning the Laureus for ‘Best Athlete’.
The world number one acknowledged that “at the moment” it is not possible to make “a prediction” about the Spaniard, but he stressed that “it is incredible everything he has managed to do as an athlete, but also with his foundation, with which he has inspired to many young people in Spain and globally,” he expressed.
‘Nole’ regretted his withdrawal from the Mutua Madrid Open, although he hopes to continue “with the ability” to play in 2025 because he looks “young” and with “a lot of desire.” “I am preparing my body above all for Roland Garros, Wimbledon, the Games and the US Open, which is the most important block for me,” he said.
“I plan to play the 1,000 Masters in Rome. This year the start has been a little different and I’m still trying to find the perfect level of tennis and I hope it arrives for Roland Garros,” added the winner of 24 Grand Slams.
Djokovic sees it as “possible” to win Olympic gold in Paris, the only thing missing from his record. “You always have to believe that anything is possible. The Games are the oldest and most prestigious sporting event and I hope to be there fit and strong and play my best tennis because who knows if I will have another chance to be in the Games. Now I said I wanted to play at least until Los Angeles, but you never know,” he explained.
The Balkan stressed that it is “difficult for there to be only one secret to being number one in the world”, especially in an “individual sport in which there are many things that you have to worry about and that then come together.” “It not only depends on you, but also on your environment, your methodology or how well you are able to perform and for how long,” he said.
And after breaking up with Goran Ivanisevic, he is “considering” not having a coach. “I am not in a hurry to make a decision, after playing for more than 20 years and having different teams and coaches I am in a phase of allowing myself to consider this option,” he admitted.
The world number one was asked by Jude Bellingham, whom he met this Sunday during the Classic and whom he congratulated “for these achievements being so young and for his goal.” “I am not a football expert, but I noticed other elements such as the mentality and approach, on the part of him and other players,” said ‘Nole’, who attended the Santiago Bernabéu this Sunday.
“He did not get tired and continued to believe that the opportunity would come, and it came and it was decisive. He is only 20 years old and already has the traits of a great champion, it is good for young people to see that it is possible to reach Real Madrid and it is always nice to see young people making these achievements and being able to overcome those barriers that others have not been able to overcome despite dedicating their entire lives to it,” he stressed.
The one from Belgrade received his fifth Laureus Award this Monday in Madrid. “It is an honor to win this prestigious award. When Laureus was founded, its premise and mission was that sport has the power to change the world and this award is totally different from any other I have received in my career. It is chosen by champions who understand what you have to do to master your art and reach high levels in the sport, I still feel like I was the first,” he confessed.
2024-04-22 21:09:24
#hope #play #time #Rafa #Nadal
