“I have a picture of him in my room,” Fanboy Luca Nardi opens up about the ‘best experience’ of playing against his idol Novak Djokovic

The Italian has had the poster on his bedroom door since he was eight.

“I have a picture of him in my room,” Fanboy Luca Nardi opens up about the ‘best experience’ of playing against his idol Novak Djokovic

Luca Nardi shakes hands with Novak Djokovic after beating him at 2024 Indian Wells (Images via Imago)

What if you get a chance to play against your tennis idol and what if you defeat them at one of the biggest stages? It sounds like a fairytale for a kid who dreams of playing a sport at the highest level. While it might still be one for many, Italian tennis player Luca Nardi is living that moment.

The 20-year-old Italian, who idolizes Serbian tennis legend Novak Djokovic and has had his poster on his bedroom door since he was eight, not only played against the 24-time Grand Slam champion but beat him in three sets. As the two players locked horns, Nardi beat the 36-year-old 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 in the third round at 2024 Indian Wells.

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Nardi shocked the five-time champion with his skills as Djokovic could not save the match and keep his quest for a sixth title in the desert alive. The Italian youngster proved too hot to handle. While it was a well-deserved win for Nardi, he called it a miracle.

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Luca Nardi living the dream

Prior to his match against Novak Djokovic, Luca Nardi had talked about his feelings and what it would be like to face a legend. The 20-year-old had revealed how he grew up idolizing the Serbian. The Italian said that it would be a great experience for him to face Djokovic.

Luca Nardi
Luca Nardi (image via IMAGO)
I think it's one of the best experiences that a guy can live, especially for someone young like me. I have a picture of him in my room, so you can understand. You can imagine for me how this can be very exciting. For sure it's going to be a great experience.
Luca Nardi said. (H/T: ATP Tour)

Nardi also talked about his childhood where he needed his mother to stand at the nets to cheer him up. The youngster then recollected everything and revealed how surreal it is for him to be playing against the World No. 1.

It's very cool. Thinking where I started, in a smaller tennis club where I was very shy to be on the court. My mom had to be on the net post because I needed her to be there. I had to have someone [to give me] confidence. To be here now, to play in a stadium like this in front of this crowd against the No. 1 in the world, for sure it's something great for me.
Luca Nardi stated.

The Italian youngster not only played but beat his idol. Nardi will next face American Tommy Paul in the pre-quarterfinals. Notably, it is the 20-year-old’s best performance at a Masters tournament.

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