Novak Djokovic: “I like to spend time hugging trees, I don’t know if it’s the key to success in Australia”

MADRID, 13 Ene. (EUROPA PRESS) –

The Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic explained his ritual of personal isolation in the weeks of the ‘Grand Slam’, as he does in Australia by going to a nearby botanical garden to “hug trees and these things”, to relax and recover the energy he needs to have won. 10 titles in Melbourne.

«I like to visit certain places that have brought me luck and make me feel good. For example, the botanical gardens that we have nearby. It’s a great park where I like to spend time alone with nature, walking barefoot, hugging trees, doing these things. I love doing it. “I have done it for the last 15 years,” the world number one said this Saturday.

‘Nole’ pointed to his ritual in the first ‘big’ of the season, which starts this Sunday in search of an eleventh title and the 25th ‘Grand Slam’ of his record. «I don’t know if it is the key to success in Australia, but it has made me feel good. Obviously, I like to walk or jog along the beach if I have the opportunity,” he added in statements reported on the official ATP website.

Djokovic acknowledged that he usually stays in South Yarra, less than 15 minutes by car from Melbourne Park, opting for the calm it offers in relation to the city or Southbank, where many players settle, part of the plan to get away from the stress of the competition. on free days. “During the ‘Grand Slam’ you face many challenges: mental, physical and emotional,” he said.

«There are a lot of things happening even on days where you don’t have games. It’s good to have places where you can relax, clear your head and regain the energy you need for the next day. I like to isolate myself a little more. In places like New York, for example, I stay in New Jersey. I stay with a friend where I have total isolation. “It allows me to relax and recover,” he said.

“I like to find that kind of balance because the ‘Grand Slam’ has a totally different energy than the rest of the tournaments we have on the circuit,” he added.

The one from Belgrade arrives at the Aus Open after going through the United Cup in Perth, where he lost to Alex de Minaur, also lamenting a problem in his right wrist. «My doll is fine. I have had time between the game against De Minaur in the United Cup until my first game here to recover. I’ve been training well. I have had no pain in training. “Everything seems to be going well,” he said.

«It has not been as serious as other injuries I have had here. In 2021 or last year I had more serious injuries to live with. I can’t predict if it will happen again. Once you play more games, your stress levels will be higher. We will check it,” added a Nole who will make his debut at the Rod Laver Arena against the Croatian Dino Prizmic, 18 years old and from the qualifying phase.