Why Novak Djokovic is playing doubles at the Tel Aviv Open with Jonathan Erlich
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Novak Djokovic and Jonathan Erlich
After participating in Roger Federer’s emotional farewell at the Laver Cup, Serbian tennis superstar Novak Djokovic is scheduled to play at the Tel Aviv Open in Israel, where he will also compete in doubles alongside his former 45-year-old partner Jonathan Erlich.
Interestingly, the event will be the last before Erlich’s retirement. Erlich even won a doubles title with Djokovic at Queen’s in 2010. The Israeli veteran has a career-high ranking of No.5 in doubles and won the last of his 22 titles partnering Andy Ram at the 2009 Australian Open.
Djokovic said in a video that he was looking forward to Erlich’s “last dance” and hoping to make it memorable. The former World No.1 had also competed in doubles action at the recently concluded Laver Cup competition, where he partnered Matteo Berrettini for Team Europe’s straight-set victory over Jack Sock and Alex de Minaur.
“I know this is going to be your last tournament. The best memory of my life in doubles was with you. You gave me the pleasure of winning the only doubles title of my life in Queen’s,” said the Serb.
Erlich also thanked Djokovic saying he was lucky to play alongside one of the best players in the world.
“First of all I want to thank Novak, he wanted to play with me. He’s a good friend, it has been an honor and I’ve enjoyed every minute,” the 45-year-old Israeli player said.
Djokovic not ‘thinking of retirement’
Djokovic recently revealed that his body is responding well and he is not thinking of retiring anytime soon. He made the comments during an on-court interview at the 2022 Laver Cup while playing for Team Europe alongside Swiss maestro Roger Federer, who just announced retirement.
At the event, Djokovic won his first singles match against Frances Tiafore but lost on the next day to Canada’s Felix Auger Aliassime in straight sets in what was a shock result. Auger Aliassime later called the win the “best performance of his career.”
This year, Djokovic had increased his all-time major tally to 21 after winning Wimbledon, one behind Rafael Nadal’s 22 and one ahead of Federer. The Serb now set sights on the 2023 Australian Open, an event he has won a record nine times during his career.
However, the Serb’s participation in Melbourne for 2023 is not yet assured due to doubts over the country’s Covid-19 vaccination laws. Djokovic had also stayed out of competition at the 2022 US Open for similar reasons.
Also Read: Novak Djokovic’s heartwarming tribute leaves Roger Federer emotional
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