Novak Djokovic loves big-name sportsmen in his box – EXCLUSIVE

Serbian star Novak Djokovic is through to the quarter-finals and the second week of the US Open after a three-set victory over big-serving Croatian Borna Gojo 6-2, 7-5, 6-4 on Sunday night.

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Djokovic was much happier with his level of play in the fourth round match.

“I am. I am satisfied. I like how I entered the match today. Good intensity, great first set.

“Obviously, I didn’t want to in a way repeat the first set or first couple sets from the third round where I was a little bit flat, I would say, and wasn’t bringing the intensity that I brought tonight. That made a difference, especially in the first set. Yeah, second set was quite close. He made an early break. I came back.

“Obviously one of the keys to the win today was try to neutralise his serve, get as many serves back in play as possible, make him run. He’s a big guy. Obviously moves well for his height, but is not maybe the best mover.

“I knew that’s where tactically my chance is. I think I’ve done well, particularly in the second and third set in some key moments, held my nerve. I served well, and read his serve, made him play always an extra shot. I’m pleased to go through in straight sets.”

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Djokovic is open to sharing his knowledge with other elite sportsmen, according to The South African website’s Dave Marshall.

He had Tom Brady in his players box at Roland Garros this year as well as supplying tickets for Kylian Mbappe and Zlatan Ibrahimovic to witness what was his historic 23rd grand slam victory.

It was reported that Djokovic recently went out to dinner in New York with Lionel Messi.

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Djokovic expanded further on some of these relationships as well as his love for multiple sports.

“It’s a pleasure to have Aaron in the stands tonight for the match. I hope he enjoyed himself. Obviously, Tom Brady being in my box for Roland Garros finals, and sitting next to my wife, was a huge honour.

“I have a relationship with Tom for several years. We go back. I have tremendous respect for him. His longevity, I feel like his way of approaching recovery, is something that I feel like is a subject that interests us both. We spoke a lot on that topic. Hopefully we will more pick each other’s brains in the future.

“Yeah, I mean, I try to maintain and nurture relationships with athletes from different sports because, as an athlete, of course I relate to them, I identify myself with what they are doing, and. I can understand the pain, the sacrifice, the dedication.

“I respect the greatness, especially the guys that have made it to an all-time great level in their respective sports. Those are the kind of people that you want to be around. You want to learn things from them because you never know, there are things that can be so inspirational, as they are in my relationship with Tom.

“Zlatan, my favourite football player, no doubt. Soccer, as you call it here. His Balkan mentality is something that is very familiar to me, let’s say, even though maybe it looks weird to the rest of the world. I understand him very, very well, have known him the last 15 years.

“Nikola Jokic, best basketball player in the world at the moment. Incredible guy. Everyone is so amazed with his skills, what he does on a basketball court. I’m not a basketball expert, so I can’t really talk about his game so much, but I’m a huge fan.

“Obviously, a Serbian basketball player coming from Serbia, dominating the NBA, is something that doesn’t happen very often. I think it never happened in the history of our basketball in Serbia, that we had best basketball player in the NBA. That’s amazing. We all love him, support him.

“Currently there’s a world championship in basketball happening. We’re in quarters. I follow that. I try to stay up to speed with all the happenings in sports. Volleyball. Track and field world championship was some weeks ago.”

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With such a strong growth mindset, it is no wonder that Djokovic has achieved such incredible results.

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Dave Marshall is covering the 2023 US Open live from New York exclusively for The South African website