DDF Tennis Diary: Novak Djokovic has all the moves, Roger Federer stays bright

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  • Djokovic dances with an entertainer at the Dubai Players' Party.

    Novak Djokovic has developed quite an annual tradition here in Dubai, and no I’m not talking about his tendency to win the title at the Aviation Club.

    Every year, the Serb showcases his dancing skills alongside the belly dancer that entertains the crowds at the Players’ Party and this week, it appears he has gotten particularly good at it.

    The world No1 danced the night away, until 1am to be exact, despite having a last 16 match the next day. Not that it hampered him in any way as he demolished Andrey Golubev to make the quarter-finals.

    “Must have been something about last night that has influenced my performance today,” Djokovic laughed.

    “It was a lot of dancing. I saw most of the players leave when I arrived, because I finished the match late. So I arrived at the party around 10:30pm and I thought we were in for a short night, but it was completely different and I enjoyed it very much.

    “I think these players’ parties usually are not as much fun as here in Dubai. We always have some nice, fun entertainment during the night with magicians and music.

    “The lady that was dancing last night was incredible and the journalists that were there last night were incredible,” he said between chuckles, referring to a couple of Serbian reporters who joined him in the fun.

    “So I enjoyed it very much. I don’t know if 1am is a bit late. Well, my coach was there with me, so he definitely approved everything.

    “Boris showed some very flexible, very agile moves on the dance floor to hip hop, with his hips that were replaced [in the] last couple of years, and then with his ankles, and looks like a young guy on the floor.”

    The brighter, the better
    Roger Federer has been known to make some bold fashion choices on the court and the outfit he’s been wearing this week in Dubai definitely falls under that category.

    The Swiss has been playing in a neon orange t-shirt and grey shorts that have a goldish-bronze sparkly stripe on each side. A get up that has matched his regular night matches well so far.

    “I liked it a lot. I actually told them to carry through with it,” said Federer about his shorts.

    “I think it’s different. I have worn so many outfits over the years, and I am lucky enough to be able to change my outfit 10 to 12 times a year.

    “How many times can you do a t-shirt and another coloured shirt? I was like ‘let’s mix it up a little bit’. I haven’t worn bright colours in some time and I asked if that could be an option.

    “[When] they presented me the shorts, I was like ‘okay, let’s make sure it’s at the right place.’ I think it actually works okay. I like it, and I hope fans enjoy the energy that comes out of it a bit.”

    The world No2 revealed he keeps three of every different outfit he wears. The rest he gives to charity, his family and his friends.

    He missed a few in his early years though because “I didn’t think I’d have a career”.

    Who would have thought it?

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