“To inspire young people…,” Novak Djokovic explains why ‘legacy’ is more important for him than all his victories
24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic wants to be remembered as a great athlete and a good human being for his work.
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Novak Djokovic (Image via X)
Novak Djokovic, being a legend of tennis, wants to leave a legacy behind that will ‘survive’ as he wants to inspire the younger generation. In an interview, Djokovic reminisced about his childhood, about how he decided to pick up the racket for a tennis career.
The 37-year-old turned pro in 2003 and won his first Grand Slam trophy in 2008 when he lifted the Australian Open. About two decades later, Djokovic surpassed everyone in men’s tennis to stand on top with 24 Grand Slam trophies. Djokovic, not only wants to be remembered as a great athlete but as a ‘good friend’ who used his position to help those in need.
Of course, I am proud of my achievements on a global level, but I would like my main legacy to be to inspire young people to lead a healthier life through activities, sports, being conscious of what they do, and obviously, if I can, to encourage them to pick up a racket and play tennis. I would like to see more tennis players because it is a beautiful sport that can bring positive things to your life.
Novak Djokovic said during an interview with La Nacion
Djokovic added that had he not played tennis, he would never have seen much of the world. He admitted that he missed his country and the place where he spent his childhood because of being always on the move.
Novak Djokovic recalls falling in love with tennis while building courts
Novak Djokovic recalled the time when he fell in love with tennis. It was the Wimbledon final in 1993, which Pete Sampras won, after which he asked his dad to buy him the racket. During his childhood, Djokovic also fell in love with building tennis courts. When there was construction of tennis courts 50 meters away from the Serb’s parents’ restaurant, he would often go there to help the builders.
We went there a lot and every time we had a break at school I would go help the builders, hand them something to drink, and they would let me help build those courts with my own hands. And I fell in love with it. I said to myself: ‘I’m building the courts that I see on TV. That’s it for me: I’m going all in with this sport.’
Novak Djokovic said
The Serbian ace is currently in Riyadh for the Six Kings Slam exhibition event. He, along with Rafael Nadal, was given direct entry to the semifinals.
Djokovic and Nadal were defeated by Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz respectively, and so on October 19, while the two youngsters will lock horns in the final to bid for $6 million, Djokovic and Nadal will play for the third-place match.
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Gouri Das
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