Novak Djokovic explains why he feels 'really close' to Serena Williams - Roland Garros diary

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  • Old friends: Serena Williams and Novak Djokovic.

    Tennis players have many reasons to share a connection with one another.

    They could strike up friendships from being around each other for a long time, they could play doubles together, they could be engaged in a fierce rivalry, they can have the same sponsor, get stranded at an airport together because of a canceled flight, and nowadays, they can be connected because of their kids.

    Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka spoke about the special bond they have formed after becoming mothers and on Wednesday, Novak Djokovic, father of two, revealed his connection with Serena, whose daughter Olympia is one day older than his daughter Tara.

    “I love Serena. You know all the superlatives and beautiful words that you can think of, she deserves it. Especially now, I mean, after she gave birth to Olympia. And after all she has achieved in sport to see her back and, you know, putting hours on the court and work and again and again, it’s impressive. It’s inspiring. It really is,” Djokovic said after his second round win over Jauma Munar.

    “I do have a really nice relationship with her, and there is actually, I don’t know if you know, but there is one day difference between my daughter and her daughter.

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  • “So we have texted a lot in the process. She was very nice to share a lot of things that she was going through with me and my wife [Jelena], and I really appreciated that. I felt really close to her. All I can say is I love her, and I wish her all the best.”

    AU REVOIR, NICO!

    The day before, two other players shared a special moment as Nicolas Mahut played, what is likely to be the final singles match of his career, against Juan Martin del Potro in the Roland Garros first round.

    Del Potro won the clash in four sets and they exchanged a warm hug at the net when the match was over.

    The Argentine wouldn’t reveal exactly what they told each other because he wanted Mahut to tell the press himself that he was likely to retire from singles play.

    “Towards the end, I wanted to savor the game a bit. It might be my last game here, my last match here. But it will depend on a number of things. I’m not saying that I’m going to stop my career, but maybe I will give preference to doubles,” said the 36-year-old Frenchman.

    “Del Potro is a player that I like very much, and I’d be happy if my last match that I played was against him. I was lucky, because I was able to play the tournament. But afterwards, we don’t know what’s going to happen. The season is a long one. I can come back, but I could fall. If I do drop very much, then I’ll give preference to doubles. What I can say was that I really enjoyed the match towards the end.”

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