India President Droupadi Murmu praises Novak Djokovic, calls the Serb ‘role model’ and ‘inspiration’ for millions in India
India's president Droupadi Murmu praised Novak Djokovic for being a role model and inspiration for millions in India.
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India President Draupadi Murmu (Images via Twitter)
India President Droupadi Murmu visited Serbia for an official on Wednesday and was received by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and also accorded a guard of honor at the Nikola Tesla Airport in Belgrade. As it’s known already, Serbia is the home of former world No.1 Novak Djokovic.
She hailed the sports tie between Serbia and India at the Serbian capital Belgrade while addressing the Indian diaspora. And while doing that, she praised Djokovic for being a role model and inspiration for millions in India.
She took to Twitter and praised Djokovic. She noted, “back home Novak Djokovic is seen as a role model and inspiration for millions. Several sports coaches from Serbia are helping Indian athletes and sportspersons to improve their skills.”
Currently, the 22-time Grand Slam champion is participating in the 2023 French Open. He has reached the semi-final and is set to lock horns with World No.1 Carlos Alcaraz on Friday (June 9). He defeated Russia’s Karen Khachanov 4-6, 7-6(0), 6-2, 6-4 in three hours and 38 minutes in the quarterfinals.
Novak Djokovic compares Carlos Alcaraz to Rafael Nadal
Djokovic has often called Rafael Nadal his biggest opponent and had said he had to give his everything to beat Nadal on the clay surface. And in 2023, Carlos Alcaraz is the favorite to beat Djokovic to win the clay-court Grand Slam.
After beating Karen Khachanov, Novak Djokovic was asked about playing against Carlos Alcaraz to which the Serb said the 20-year-old reminds him of Spanish legend Rafael Nadal. “He carried himself very well, nice guy. Brings a lot of intensity to the court, reminds me of someone from his country (laughs). We played only once, 7-6 in the third for him. If it comes to it, that would be the biggest challenge, he is the guy to beat,” said Djokovic after beating Khachanov.
Djokovic and Alcaraz have locked horns just once, at the 2022 Madrid Open where Alcaraz was able to clinch his first win over the Serb 7-6, 5-7, 7-6. The duo would have faced each other in the French Open final but Russia’s Daniil Medvedev’s clinching the 2023 Italian Open made him the second seed which led to Djokovic and Alcaraz’s clash in the semi-final.
The Spaniard will be playing his first semi-final at the Roland Garros. Last year, he reached the quarterfinals but got knocked out by Germany’s Alexander Zverev. If he wins the title, it will be his second Grand Slam; the first he won last year at the US Open.
In case you missed:
- Mats Wilander gives verdict on Holger Rune’s future Major titles pitting him against rival Carlos Alcaraz following his latest showing at the French Open
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Gouri Das
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