World tennis great Djokovic finds a coach in the crowd | Page 2 | Sunday Observer

World tennis great Djokovic finds a coach in the crowd

20 June, 2021
Novak Djokovic gives his Grand Slam winning racquet to a young boy in the crowd
Novak Djokovic gives his Grand Slam winning racquet to a young boy in the crowd

World tennis great Novak Djokovic won his 19th Grand Slam title at the French Open last Sunday when he beat Greek player Stefanos Tsitsipas to move one behind the all-time men's record shared by Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer and then gave his racquet to his greatest supporter on the day in Paris.

The supporter was a young boy in the crowd that Djokovic said gave him all the support he needed at a time he was down two sets.

"I don't know the boy, but he was in my ear the entire match basically, especially when I was two sets to love down," a smiling Serbian Djokovic said.

"He was encouraging me. He was actually giving me tactics, as well. He was like, 'hold your serve, get an easy first ball, then dictate, go to his backhand'.

"He was coaching me - literally.

"I found that very cute, very nice. So I felt like to give the racquet to the best person and that was him after the match.

"That was kind of my gratitude for him sticking with me and supporting me."

Djokovic said "everything is possible" as he targets what is being called a "golden Grand Slam in 2021" after winning the French Open for the second time.

The 34-year-old Serb has won both majors this year after lifting the Australian Open title in February and will defend his Wimbledon title this month before the Olympics and US Open.

"I have put myself in a good position to go for the Golden Slam," said Djokovic, who won his 19th major by beating Tsitsipas.

"Everything is possible. I've achieved some things that a lot of people thought it would be not possible for me to achieve."

Djokovic, also champion at Roland Garros in 2016, became the first man to win all four Grand Slams twice since the fully professional Open era began in 1968.

 

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