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WATCH: Novak Djokovic Gets Ready to Ski After Victory at Davis Cup Finals 2021
After the conclusion of the ATP Tour season, the Davis Cup comes to the rescue for all those missing out on watching regular tennis. The stars who have finished the tour are representing their countries in the Davis Cup Finals, including the World No. 1, Novak Djokovic.
After his team’s victory against Austria in the competition, the Serb celebrated in location-appropriate fashion.
Novak Djokovic skiis past Austria
Right in the group stage, Novak Djokovic put the defending champions Spain on notice, along with the rest of the countries. Going head-to-head with Austria (one of the three host countries) in Group F, Serbia won their opening matchup resoundingly.
Defeating Austrian Dennis Novak 6-3, 6-2 in straight sets, the World No. 1 put Serbia on top of their group. Not only was this Djokovic’s 35th Davis Cup win but also the most by any Serbian player.
Innsbruck, Austria, where the tournament is being held, is one of the most famous skiing centers in all of Europe. On that note, the official Davis Cup Instagram page posted a video of Novak having some fun after his victory.
The video shows Djokovic goofing around in skis, pretending to go downhill. Not many know, however, that Djokovic comes from a family of gifted skiers, and is himself quite adept at the sport.
Djokovic’s uncle, Goran Djokovic, who is an accomplished skier himself, once commented on the Serb’s abilities. “When he’s sliding on the court, this is like skiing. People say, ‘How is it possible?’ Because of that. It’s simple,” he said. This sure explains how the 20-time Grand Slam champion makes it look so effortless when he glides across the court in the blink of an eye.
Djokovic himself talked about his love for skiing in an interview with the Wall Street Journal in 2015. “I love being on the slopes,” the Serb revealed. “I think it’s the best feeling an athlete can have.”
Tennis – Davis Cup Finals – Group F – Serbia v Austria – Olympiahalle, Innsbruck, Austria – November 26, 2021, Serbia’s Novak Djokovic and Austria’s Dennis Novak shake hands after their match| Credits: REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger
As team Serbia make a solid start to their 2021 campaign, they will surely be looking to go the distance. If their opening performance is anything to go by, they look like they have the talent to go all the way.
Apart from Djoker’s dismantling of Dennis Novak, his teammate Dusan Lajovic beat Gerald Melzer 7-6, 3-6, 7-5 and in the doubles contest as well, Serbia recorded a victory in three sets. Consequently, with Novak Djokovic’s win, the team sailed to a comfortable 3-0 victory over the hosts.
Will this be the year that Serbia, led by Novak, take home the prize?
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