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Novak Djokovic chats out of the box in Dubai.
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imago images / Hasenkopf
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The Serb is currently contesting the tournament in the desert metropolis.
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imago images / Hasenkopf
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3.7
There he reveals that there is a WhatsApp group with …
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Getty Images
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Djokovic, Nadal and Federer (from left) at a 2013 press conference.
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It’s not that long ago. In an interview with the Serbian newspaper “Novosti”, Srdjan Djokovic, the father of tennis superstar Novak, made a broad statement against Roger Federer: “He has been jealous of Novak from the moment he made his breakthrough because he knew that my son is better than he and will tower over him. »
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Papa Djokovic keeps pouring oil into the fire. This gives the impression that his son and the Swiss could not understand each other. Or at least cultivate less friendly competition than Federer and Rafael Nadal. They recently showed in Cape Town how well they understand each other. In the world record game “Match in Africa” and in a double of fun with comedian Trevor Noah and multi-billionaire Bill Gates.
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So Novak and Roger are bitter enemies? No, it doesn’t go that far. This impression is probably exaggerated by Srdjan Djokovic. Perhaps to unsettle the Swiss. Because the 17-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic reveals at the ATP tournament in Dubai that he, Nadal and Federer have a common WhatsApp group, where they are in regular exchange.
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“Yes, there is,” says Djokovic. «Sometimes we are more active, sometimes less. But everyone always answers if there is anything. We get on well together. There is huge mutual respect, privately and professionally. »
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«Roger is Roger – tennis needs him»
While Federer has had a knee surgery break for around three months, Djokovic is aiming for his 79th tournament title in Dubai. But he didn’t know anything about Roger’s competition break – despite the WhatsApp group: «To be honest, I was surprised. I knew he was struggling with an injury in Melbourne. But nobody knew exactly what it was. »
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For Djokovic, a big setback for the tennis circus: «I can hardly watch it if someone has to have an operation. I had to do it once, and hopefully it was the last time. » He also wishes Federer a speedy recovery: “Roger is Roger – this sport needs him.”
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Apparently the big three get along better despite the sporty rivalry and the exciting race for the highest number of Grand Slam titles than is sometimes conveyed. By the way, Nadal is in excellent shape: The Spaniard is taking part in the same tournament as Stan Wawrinka in Acapulco (Mexico). For Rafa it would be title number 85. (leo)
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