Jelena Dokic has opened as much as Novak Djokovic a couple of brutally awkward second between the 2 from years in the past.
The Aussie tennis icon turned commentator stood on Rod Laver Arena with the Serbian famous person following his third spherical victory towards Grigor Dimitrov.
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As the interview acquired underway Djokovic mentioned to Dokic “I haven’t seen you in ages” earlier than he was pressed on their first encounter.
“You know when was the first time we saw each other here?” Dokic requested.
Confused, Djokovic responded: “It was the first time?”
Dokic clarified: “No no, do you remember, when was the first time I actually met you here at the Australian Open?”
Despite being placed on the spot the 21-time Grand Slam winner appropriately guessed that they had spoken in 2006, two years earlier than he first reigned supreme at Melbourne Park however two years after the pair had a apply collectively.
But it was then that Dokic revealed the brutally awkward second from their encounter 17 years in the past.
“You came to me in 2006, and you said ‘hi I’m Novak Djokovic, do you remember me?’ And I said to you ‘yes I do’, and I have to admit, I didn’t. We hit two years earlier – I pretended I did, but I definitely know who you are now!” Dokic mentioned as the gang broke out into matches of laughter.
Djokovic, surprised from what he’d simply discovered, responded saying the second was one he was wanting ahead to. Despite the brutal reveal he was nonetheless pleased to be speaking to Dokic once more.
“I was looking up to you, obviously. You played for Australia but you came from our region, we speak the same language and you were a big star at the time,” Djokovic mentioned.
“I was really happy to play with you, it’s great to see you again.”
“The pleasure was all mine,” Dokic replied.
The Serb got here by means of a titanic 77-minute first set earlier than taming the Bulgarian 7-6, 6-3, 6-4 regardless of needing therapy twice on his troublesome hamstring.
He will face residence hope Alex de Minaur for a spot within the quarter-finals after the twenty second seed defeated Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi in three units.
Djokovic’s gutsy win inched him nearer to a tenth Australian Open title and record-tying 22 Grand Slam crowns.
Winning as soon as once more in Melbourne would additionally return him to world primary for the primary time since June.
Now 35, Djokovic mentioned he was savouring every event extra. “Every season counts I guess now, when you come to the last stage, the last quarter, of your career,” he mentioned.
“Obviously you start appreciating and valuing each tournament more because you might not have a lot left in the tank.
“I’ve been truly fortunate to do what I love, I love the sport, I love competing. It’s been almost 20 years now of professional sport. I can’t be more grateful than I am.”
Victory put Djokovic into the final 16 for a fifteenth time however he was made to work for it, particularly along with his left hamstring troubling him.
“It kind of always starts well in last few matches, including this one, and then some movement happens and then it gets worse,” he mentioned.
“Pills kick in, some hot cream and stuff. That works for a little bit, then it doesn’t, then works again. It’s really a rollercoaster, honestly.
“I’ll take it match by match. I don’t know what awaits, but I do hope and I have faith for the best.”
Djokovic aggravated his hamstring throughout his run to a 92nd title on the Adelaide International this month and has been combating it since.
– with AFP
