Laslo Djere recalls meeting idol Novak Djokovic as a child

Laslo Djere, the World No. 57 from Serbia recalled his fan boy moment seeing and meeting fellow countryman and World No. 1 Novak Djokovic as a child and what impact it had on him.

The 25-year old has been in some form in 2021 playing some consistent tennis throughout the season. He made it to the quarter-finals at the Chile Open and finished runner-up in the recently concluded Sardegna Open 2021 losing in 3-sets in what was a gruelling 3-hour contest.

In an interview with the ATPTour.com, the Serbian talked about his childhood idols whom he looked up while aspiring to be a tennis star himself. “When I was a kid maybe some tennis players that were my idols but I met them a long time ago, I guess. Someone like Novak, I met him when I was a child.” said Djere who does not remember the details clearly.

“It motivated me,” says Laslo Djere on watching Djokovic play

“First I guess I saw him (Djokovic) playing in the Davis Cup and that was also good for me and exciting. I can’t remember (the details) because I was really small and really young, but for sure it motivated me,” Djere further said.

Djere has always been a big fan of Novak and have played together representing Serbia in the Davis Cup competitons for more than 4-years now. “We know each other and always say a few words when we see each other at tournaments.”

“He sent me a message when I reached the Top 100 [of the ATP Rankings] and called me to play doubles with him at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, when I was nowhere close to the Top 100. He’s a great guy and an inspiration to all of us.”

Laslo Djere will next feature on the tour playing at the Monte Carlo Masters.

Also Read: Monte Carlo Masters 2021: Men’s Singles Draw Preview, Analysis and Prediction