Novak Djokovicnumber one in the world, declared this Monday after the breakup with Goran Ivanisevic He is still in the “phase” of thinking whether he should “have a coach or not” and took the opportunity to praise Rafa Nadal, whom he would like to see “in a tournament or two and play against him again.”
The Serbian tennis player He was in Madrid to collect the Laureus Award for the best athlete of 2023. He received the trophy from former American football player Tom Bradyafter winning the Laureus Academy vote with footballers Lionel Messi, from Argentina, and Erling Haaland, from Norway, Swedish pole vaulter Mondo Duplantis, American athlete Noah Lyles and Dutch pilot Max Verstappen.
“It is an honor to win this prestigious award for the fifth time.. These awards were created twenty-five years ago with the premise that sport has the power to change the world, something that inspires me a lot,” Djokovic said in a press conference.
The Serbian tennis player will not play in this year’s Mutua Madrid Open and He said he was “focused” on preparing for Roland Garros, Wimbledon, the Olympic Games and the US Open“the most important block”, although he also expressed hope to “play” in Rome in two weeks.
After her breakup with Goran Ivanisevic, the Serbian tennis player He admits that he still has doubts about whether to work with another coach or go it alone.
“I’m thinking about whether I have a coach or not. I consider different things. I have been with Nenad Zimonjic and I will make a decision in the coming weeks or months. I have played professional tennis for over twenty years and have had many different teams and coaches. I don’t think I need a coach or a physio because ultimately a team creates the formula for success. It’s what makes you better but I’m in a phase of my career where I’m wondering if maybe not having a coach could be an option,” he confessed.
At the same Laureus Awards gala in Madrid, the Rafa Nadal Foundation was awarded the ‘Sport for Good’ award for the best charitable institution.
“All my respect to Rafa. I hope to see him in a tournament or two and I hope to fight him at least once.. At this time I cannot make a prediction for the future but everything he has done in his career as an athlete is incredible. Also with his wife and family. He has inspired many young people in Spain as well as around the world. All my respect,” he concluded.
Djokovic, who was withdrawn this week from the 1,000th Masters in Madrid, has already won the Laureus in 2012, 2015, 2016 and 2019.
In 2023 he reached 24 Grand Slams with his victories in Australia, Roland Garros and the United States Open.
Source: La Verdad
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