Not for the primary time this season, Novak Djokovic excelled underneath the gaze of NFL greatness along with his fourth-round victory Sunday on the US Open.
In the stands at Flushing Meadows for the Serbian’s 6-2, 7-5, 6-4 triumph in opposition to Borna Gojo was NFL legend Aaron Rodgers. The New York Jets quarterback was following within the footsteps of his former on-field rival Tom Brady, who sat in Djokovic’s participant field at Roland Garros in June because the Serbian charged to a document twenty third Grand Slam crown.
“It was a pleasure to have Aaron within the stands tonight for the match,” mentioned Djokovic in his post-match press convention in New York. “I’m hoping he loved himself. Obviously him, Tom Brady being in my field for Roland Garros finals and sitting subsequent to my spouse, was an enormous honour. I’ve a relationship with Tom for a number of years. We return. I’ve great respect for him.”
Rodgers and Brady are the newest in a string of high-profile athletes from different sports activities to have watched or met ATP Tour nice Djokovic over time. His pals from different sports activities additionally embody Swedish soccer star Zlatan Ibrahimovic and two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokic.
“Zlatan is my favourite soccer participant, little doubt,” mentioned Djokovic. “His Balkan mentality is one thing that could be very acquainted to me, to illustrate, although possibly it appears bizarre to the remainder of the world. I perceive him very, very effectively, have recognized him the final 15 years.
“Nikola Jokic is one of the best basketball participant on this planet in the mean time. Incredible man. Everyone is so amazed along with his expertise, what he does on a basketball courtroom. I’m not a basketball skilled, so I can not actually speak about his recreation a lot, however I’m an enormous fan.
“Obviously a Serbian basketball participant coming from Serbia, dominating the NBA, is one thing that does not occur fairly often. I believe it by no means occurred within the historical past of our basketball in Serbia, that we had greatest basketball participant within the NBA. That’s superb. We all love him, assist him.”
Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Novak Djokovic on the 2021 Nitto ATP Finals. Photo Credit: FIT
Djokovic believes {that a} distinctive mindset unites most of the elite sportspeople he interacts with. Even in spite of everything his achievements throughout his groundbreaking ATP Tour profession, the 36-year-old stays looking out for any classes he can take from fellow sporting greats.
“I attempt to keep and nurture relationships with athletes from totally different sports activities as a result of, as an athlete, after all I relate to them,” mentioned Djokovic. “I establish myself with what they’re doing and I can perceive the ache, the sacrifice, the dedication.
“I respect the greatness, particularly the blokes which have made it to an all-time nice degree of their respective sports activities. Those are the type of folks that you simply wish to be round. You wish to be taught issues from them since you by no means know, there are issues that may be so inspirational, as they’re in my relationship with Tom.”
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Djokovic will not be relying on the assist of too a lot of Rodgers and Brady’s fellow Americans within the quarter-finals in New York — the second seed takes on the No. 1 American Taylor Fritz within the final eight. With Frances Tiafoe or Ben Shelton, ready within the semi-finals ought to he overcome Fritz, Djokovic is making ready to spoil the occasion as American followers hope for a primary residence champion at Flushing Meadows since Andy Roddick in 2003.
“I assume there’s going to be extra assist for Taylor Fritz in our subsequent match,” mentioned Djokovic. “Obviously finally if I win, to play Shelton or Tiafoe within the semis. It’s anticipated. We’re in America enjoying in opposition to residence gamers. It’s one thing that I might be shocked if it was in any other case, to be trustworthy. So I do know what I’m anticipating, and I’m going to prepare for that mentally.
“Matches are solely going to get more durable any more. It’s the quarter-finals of a Slam. I believe it is vital for a really huge and vital nation within the tennis world, like America is, to have three tennis gamers within the quarter-finals of a Slam. It’s vital for this match. It’s one of many 4 majors, one of many 4 most vital occasions within the historical past of our sport.”
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Source: www.atptour.com