Google News Novak Djokovic's generosity, kindness prompts Sabanov brothers to switch nationality
by DZEVAD MESIC | VIEW 17734
Twins Ivan Sabanov and Matej Sabanov have been touched by the generosity of Novak Djokovic and from now on they will represent Serbia and not Croatia. The Sabanov brothers, both 29, were born in Serbia but represented Croatia for the good part of their career.
World No. 1 Novak Djokovic has been strongly supporting the Sabanov brothers as they can feel free to train whenever they want and as much they want in his tennis club in Belgrade. The Sabanov brothers captured their maiden ATP title in Belgrade this year.
"Novak gave us everything. He gave us the best possible conditions. Novak Djokovic's support is something that cannot be described in words. He has always been our role model and the person we admire throughout our careers. Every piece of his advice is extremely valuable for our careers and we are very honored to have the opportunity to learn from such a tennis player.
We trained with him, he gave us the best possible conditions and that's what we really needed," Matej Sabanov explained, per Vecernji List.
Djokovic facing a difficult decision
Unvaccinated players have been banned from playing at the Australian Open and Djokovic is refusing to reveal his vaccination status.
"I know he wants to be here, he'd like nothing more," Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley said. "He doesn't want to start the year without the opportunity to win all four Grand Slams - that's enough motivation.
"So the question is going to be: where is he at with his vaccination status?" Former world No. 1 Andy Roddick said Djokovic skipping the Australian Open would be a major boost to the chances of Rafael Nadal, Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev.
“We don’t know what’s going to happen with Australia,” Roddick said on Tennis Channel. “Nobody knows except Novak what he’s going to do and if he’s going to play the game the way it has to be played to participate in Australia.
“If he doesn’t, opportunity’s knocking for Medvedev, Zverev, Rafa’s going to be foaming at the mouth to get there and get to that 21st Slam so these other guys, they have to play their tournament either way”.