Novak Djokovic reveals what makes Australian Open the Happy Slam
feels grateful for competing in front of a lot of people at the Australian Open. In a pre-tournament press conference on Sunday, the 31-year-old Belgrade native said: Well, its great to be back.
Happy New Year to everyone. Ive had lots of success in Australia in the past. I think its also due to that support that I get from the Serbian community, but also people internationally that come to support all the tennis players during the next couple of weeks.
Its one of the four big ones, obviously, Grand Slams. They call it the Happy Slam for a reason. Theres a lot of good vibes, the good buzz around the city. People of Australia love sport, nurture the sports values. They love their tennis, as well.
During this three, four weeks, you can see a lot of tennis on the TV, as well. Everybody follows it. So as a tennis player, obviously its a great honour and pleasure to be here. On retiring from tennis, Djokovic added: Hes unable to, even after several surgeries, to get back to the desired level.
As an athlete, thats probably the biggest obstacle and enemy that you can have: an injury. Thats something that takes away your ability to compete and to play the sport that you love. So its sad for me, but for all sport, because Andy is a very respected and likeable guy around the locker room.
Hes a great champion. Hes a legend of this sport, without a doubt, multiple Grand Slam winner, two golds from the Olympic Games, Davis Cup. Hes had it all. Yeah, I mean, its really hard to see him going through those emotions, as well, on the court and off the court.
In front of you guys the other day… He touched us all definitely. I definitely wish him a painless future in whatever shape or form that is, on or off the court, as well. ALSO READ: Djokovic would beat Roger Federer in Australian Open final – Evert
