Novak Djokovic, ten-time winner of the Australian Open, set foot in Melbourne, trained and participated in the Media Day like all his colleagues. It has a lot to tell because it is not known for sure when it will be the last time but it will be the first: “It’s the 21st time I’ve been here. In 2005 I qualified for a Grand Slam for the first time and played at the Rod Laver Arena against Marat Safin, who ended up being the champion.”
That was when he became melancholic and at the same time proud of what he had achieved: “Looking at my career, I think I’m the last guy who should complain or regret anything. I broke almost any record in this sport, so I will be eternally grateful to tennis for giving me the opportunity to travel the world and live my dream, because this was my dream. I’m still living the dream, to be honest. The achievements are there, it is one of the greatest motivations you can have, but it is not the only one.”
Without leaving aside that he does not play only for glory: “There is the passion, the love for the game, the interaction with people, that energy you feel when you enter a court. It is like an adrenaline rush, almost like a drug. “Many of the best athletes in the world can relate to this, it’s very addictive, which is why everyone wants to repeat it.”
But the inevitable end will soon or far come: “Many will ask me when the date of my end will be, but I don’t want to talk or think about this yet, because here I am still competing. When it arrives, I will share it with you and we will discuss the farewell tour, but at the moment I am still No. 4 in the world, I am still competing at the highest level, I feel there is no need to have that discussion.
The Serbian, who arrived at Melbourne Park without having played any tournament before after giving up the ATP 250 in Adelaide, will debut vs. Pedro Martínez, 28 years old and number 71 in the ATP ranking (as well as a participant in the One Point Slam).
The Australian Open can be followed on the Disney+ Plan Premium screen.
