How Novak Djokovic Inspired a Visually-Impaired Fan to Take Up Tennis

Novak Djokovic is one of the biggest names in the history of tennis. The 20-time Grand Slam champion is a living legend and has a whopping 86 ATP singles titles to his name.

The Serbian great is also the inspiration for millions of tennis fans. Furthermore, young players starting out in the sport look up to Djokovic as their idol. And recently, he inspired a blind woman to take up tennis.

Novak Djokovic inspired a blind woman to play tennis

Tennis – Davis Cup Finals – Group F – Serbia v Germany – Olympiahalle, Innsbruck, Austria – November 27, 2021 Serbia’s Novak Djokovic reacts during his match against Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger

Novak Djokovic is known for his good heart. In a touching story shared by one of his fans, Vanessa Vlajkovic, she reveals how he inspired her to take up the sport herself.

Despite being deaf-blind, Vanessa has always been the most ardent fan of the Serb. Finally, she met Novak last year, fulfilling a lifelong dream for herself.

Vanessa’s life changed when she found blind tennis. She saw it as an opportunity to not only idolize Novak Djokovic but also come closer to emulating him.

ALSO READ: “I Am in Awe of This”: Novak Djokovic Draws Inspiration From Paralympic Legend Ibrahim Hamadtou

How blind tennis changed my life and opened up a path I never knew existed
Vanessa Vlajkovic got to meet Novak Djokovic at Melbourne Park — now she’s trying to emulate her hero playing blind and low-vision tennis. https://t.co/ZUm1PaZoZz via @ABCaustralia

— C Kristjánsdóttir ● (@CristinaNcl) November 30, 2021

Fast forward to six months of training, and Novak Djokovic’s visually-impaired fan is playing great tennis!

Ian Ketteringham, her coach for blind and low-vision tennis, revealed how Vanessa has been doing at tennis. “Ness continues to defy the restrictions I have mentally placed on what should and should not be possible.”

Djokovic is likely to miss the Australian Open next year

Tennis – Australian Open – Men’s Singles Photo Shoot – Brighton Beach, Melbourne, Australia, February 22, 2021 Australian Open champion Serbia’s Novak Djokovic poses with the trophy during a photoshoot at Brighton Beach REUTERS/Loren Elliott TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Novak Djokovic is the defending champion of the Australian Open. Additionally, he has also won the cup in Melbourne a record nine times. However, fans are in for bad news, as Djokovic will most probably miss the first Grand Slam of 2022.

Owing to the travel restrictions on athletes in Australia, it is possible that Djokovic will not be going ‘down under.’ What remains to be seen is whether or not Djokovic will come out and make a definitive statement about his presence in Melbourne.

The entire tennis community, fans and players alike, sit with bated breath to know for sure whether The Serbinator will make his shot at finally surpassing Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

DIVE DEEPER: WATCH: Novak Djokovic Gets Ready to Ski After Victory at Davis Cup Finals 2021

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