MELBOURNE, January 11, 2017
Novak Djokovic has arrived in Melbourne in order to defend his Australian Open title. The 29-year-old from Serbia, who opened the 2017 season with a triumph over Andy Murray in the final of the Qatar Open in Doha last Saturday.
“I am feeling phenomenal,” Djokovic told on Wednesday. “I am obviously excited to be back at properly the best Grand Slam in our sport. Everybody involved in the organisation does everything to make us feel like home. Considering the memories and the results I had here in the past, I am really looking forward to come back.”
Djokovic lifted the trophy down under six times, including his first major title back in 2008.
“007 – why not?! Maybe this is the year?!,” Djokovic laughed about a potential seventh title in 2017. “I am not numeroligist, but it sounds good.”
However this time, the Belgrade native has returned to Australia as World No. 2.
“Andy (Murray) absolutely deserved to come here as World No. 1. He had tremendous last six months in 2016. We already played a thrilling match this year and I am looking forward to our rivalry. In terms of my feelings coming back to Melbourne, it is quite the same as the five or six years before. I am pumped to do well. It’s the beginning of the season, we already have our first Grand Slam and I am excited.”
Novak Set To shine In Charity Gala At Margaret Court Arena
Djokovic will start his Australian Open 2017 campaign as the star of a free tennis and entertainment spectacular at Margaret Court Arena on Wednesday evening.
A Night with Novak will raise funds for the Novak Djokovic Foundation, which supports quality preschool education for children, and Tennis Cares. Such is the appeal of the man nicknamed “the Djoker”, the event was fully subscribed within hours of tickets becoming available.
Novak will be joined by some familiar faces during a show that promises lots of fun, entertainment and a few sporting surprises, including the following special guests:
· Six-time Australian Open champion Roy Emerson
· Performers from Cirque du Soleil
· FAST4 Tennis with rising star Alexander Zverev
· Cricket challenge with Shane Warne and Meg Lanning
· Rugby League challenge with Cam Smith
· Soccer challenge with Archie Thompson
· Netball challenge with Sharelle McMahon
· AFL challenge with Max Gawn
“It was founded in 2007. In 2011, we decided to focus our attention on pre-school education system in Serbia,” Djokovic explained.
Unfortunately over 50 per cent of children do not attend any pre-school education like kindergardens. Our mission is trying to provide this type of education to any child in Serbia. We are still young, but I am very proud of the team and the work they have done. I am very greatful to the Australian Open to host this event and allowing all the benefits going to the Novak Djokovic event. I hope it’s going to be a great evening.”
Donations can be made at www.novakdjokovicfoundation.org.
