2012 Barclays ATP World Tour Finals champion Novak Djokovic played the first of two exhibition events in his calendar this week.
Nole arrived in Bratislava on Wednesday and held a press conference, then attended Kids Clinic at the National Tennis Centre.
World no.1 played an exhibition match with ATP Newcomer of the Year, the no.30-ranked Martin Klizan, at the AEGON Arena. The result was 7-5, 6-3 for Nole.
He then paired with his coach Marian Vajda in doubles against Martin Klizan and former world no.12, Dominik Hrbaty. The Serbian/Slovakian duo won 7-5.
The exho in the capital of Slovakia is a part of the fifth edition of the “Tennis Classic”. Djokovic impersonated Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova, Rafael Nadal and Andy Roddick much to the delight of the crowd.
“Thank you all for coming. We wanted to play quality tennis, to entertain crowd, came up with some good shots, good impersonations. I hope you liked it,” Novak said in an on-court interview.
€25,800 was raised through the auction between matches to go to Novak Djokovic Foundation to help pre-school education programs in Serbia.
Novak is heading to Rio de Janeiro tomorrow. The 25-year-old Belgrade native will play exhibition match against retired champion, former world no.1 Gustavo Kuerten on Saturday, November 17, at Maracanãzinho Arena.
He will meet the three-time French Open titlist to help inaugurate a tennis court in Rocinha.
The Serbian tennis star will also play a football friendly. On Sunday, November 18, he will join his countryman Dejan Petkovic, Zico, Romario, Bebeto, Cafu and other Brazilian superstars.
“Brazil is such a great and successful nation in football. It’s the national sport. It’s my first time going to Brazil, going to Rio de Janeiro. I’m going to play with Guga in an exhibition event. Then we’re going to have an opportunity to play in a big stadium with some big stars as Bebeto, Cafu and Zico. Hopefully all these great legends of the sport will be there. I love football. Played a couple times only on the big pitch. I’m terrible, but I try to enjoy the moment and hopefully have fun,” Nole said after winning the ATP World Tour Finals in London.
Photos: AFP (Samuel Kubani), Ivan Kopcani, Novak Djokovic Official Website
