'I had a feeling Novak Djokovic wasn’t going to play', says former star

• Tennis News
• Novak Djokovic

Archaeological Park director Semir Osmanagic credits Novak Djokovic with creating interest in tennis in Bosnia and Herzegovina as he reveals that 200 children signed up to train after one of Djokovic's recent visits to the country.

Since 2020, Djokovic has become a regular guest at the Bosnian Pyramid of the Sun complex. Earlier this year, Osmanagic announced his plans to build two tennis courts, one clay and one hard. The opening ceremony of the tennis complex is scheduled for July 13 and Djokovic will be among those who will attend the special day at the Archaeological Park.

"The tennis complex in the park 'Ravne 2' will become a regional center for the preparation of the best tennis players, as Novak Đoković and I agreed about a hundred days ago," Osmanagic told the Bosnian daily Avaz.

"When Novak appeared at the Safet Zajko sports center, 200 children signed up to train tennis at the local club. We want to attract tennis stars and we will offer them a few days of stay at the tennis complex for free," revealed Osmanagic.

In addition to Djokovic, Aljaz Bedene, Aldin Setkic and Ivan Dodig will also be present during the opening ceremony of the tennis complex. For the special day, three exhibition matches are planned. Djokovic will face Dodig, while Bedene will collide with Setkic.

In a doubles match, Djokovic and Setkic will play Bedene and Dodig. “We are pleased to confirm the participation of big names in tennis in the opening of our tennis courts. Novak confirmed his arrival on July 13, when the opening ceremony of this unique complex in our country is scheduled,” Osmanagic said last month.

Davydenko takes a shot at Djokovic

The interviewer asked Nikolay Davydenko about what he thought about what happened with Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open. To this, the former world no. 3 replied, “I don’t understand what he tried to do.

I supported him, but it was him against the whole country, he against the world. It doesn’t matter if you’re number one or whatever, but even before he landed, I had a feeling he wasn’t going to play”.

The Russian player also talked about the unpredictability of Novak. “Sometimes I don’t understand what’s going on in his head. Usually Serbs and Russians have the same mentality, but it seems to me that Novak is sometimes German, sometimes Italian, ha-ha-ha”. Djokovic had planned to claim his 21st at the Australian Open.