“It Motivated Me” – Laslo Djere Recalls Meeting Childhood Idol Novak Djokovic
Follow Us
Serbian tennis star Laslo Djere has recalled meeting compatriot and one of his childhood idols Novak Djokovic when he was a child.
In an interview with ATPtour.com, the 25-year-old said that there are quite a few tennis stars that he grew up watching.
He added that though he met his boyhood idols, the trysts happened so far back that he doesn’t have any vivid recollections of the same.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
In response to a question on whether he recalls meeting a childhood idol, Djere said, “When I was a kid maybe some tennis players that were my idols but I met them a long time ago, I guess. Someone like Novak, I met him when I was a child.”
He revealed that he does have some memories of watching the current World No.1 in action.
Laslo Djere says he saw Novak Djokovic up close at Davis Cup as a kid
Currently ranked 57th in singles, Djere recalled seeing the reigning Australian Open champion at a Davis Cup tie and feeling excited about watching his idol from up close.
He added that it was that treasured boyhood moment that drew him to tennis and served as motivation for him as he turned professional.
Trending
Roger Federer Breaks Partnership With Billion Dollar Worth Italian Brand Days After Coco Gauff’s Stunning Commercial Appearance
April 12, 2024 07:23 PM EDT
Tennis News: Rafael Nadal Confirms Retirement ; Doping-Banned Mikael Ymer Announces Comeback; Stefanos Tsitsipas Dubbed as Hypocrite
April 15, 2024 06:22 PM EDT
Andy Roddick Hat Tips Serena Williams’ Husband Alexis Ohanian with Ultimate Praise for Women’s Sports’ Skyrocketing Success
April 17, 2024 01:14 PM EDT
Bavarian International 2024: Taylor Fritz vs Jack Draper; Preview, Head-to-Head, Prediction
April 19, 2024 03:23 AM EDT
Daughter Olympia’s Notorious Act Leaves Serena Williams’ Husband Alexis Ohanian in Splits Despite Being Neglected in Family Sketch
April 18, 2024 12:45 PM EDT
Get instantly notified of the hottest Tennis stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.
Follow Us
“First I guess I saw him (Djokovic) playing in the Davis Cup and that was also good for me and exciting. I can’t remember (the details) because I was really small and really young, but for sure it motivated me,” the 25-year-old said.
The Serb is in sight of his third career Tour title at the ongoing Sardegna Open, a clay-court event in Cagliari, Italy.
He has reached the final on the back of some impressive performances and will battle it out with local favorite Lorenzo Sonego for the championship.
An accomplished clay court player, Djere won both his Tour titles on soil. His first was at Rio De Janeiro in 2019 and he followed it up with another championship run on clay in Sardinia, Italy, last year.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
He further affirmed his status on clay with quarter-final runs at Argentina Open and Chile Open this year.
Interestingly, the Serb fell to ‘King of Clay’ Rafael Nadal on concrete in the opening round of the Australian Open.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Novak Djokovic Says He Would Have Withdrawn From Australian Open 2021 if it Wasn’t a Grand Slam
Djere has been handed a tough draw at the Monte Carlo Masters that will see him open his campaign against Russian Karen Khachanov on Monday.