Maria Sharapova revealed the “crazy story” with Novak Djokovic 15 years ago
Novak Djokovic and Maria Sharapova / Profimedia Images
Sharapova told that she made a bet with Novak Djokovic 15 years ago and lost it. He had to go out with the Serb.
Maria Sharapova has revealed the “crazy story” with Novak Djokovic 15 years ago
” Oh my God… I have a crazy story with Novak ,” Maria Sharapova began talking about what happened 15 years ago on Rennae Stubbs’ podcast.
” I remember at that time we won our first Grand Slam titles. He was still striving to conquer the highest level, he was trying to reach the top, but his body couldn’t keep up with his game at the time.
We played a demo match at Indian Wells, I don’t remember exactly what the bet was, but he said, ‘If I win the tournament, we’re going to dinner together.’ I said, ‘Okay, no problem, it’s definitely not going to happen.’
Finally he won and said, ‘That’s it! We’re going out to dinner,’ and it was all a lot of fun. At one point, he even asked me if we could take a picture ,” Maria Sharapova said.
Novak Djokovic can have an arena named after him at the Australian Open! The announcement made by the tournament director
Novak Djokovic may have an arena named after him at the Australian Open! The Serbian, who reached 24 Grand Slam titles after winning the US Open, is the player with the most titles won in Melbourne.
‘Nole’ has won 10 times on Rod Laver Arena so far and the Australians are looking to pay tribute to the world number 1.
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Australia is certainly a special place for Novak Djokovic, even if he also had a difficult time in Antipozis, when he was denied entry into the country in 2022.
Even under these conditions, Djokovic had no problems in returning in 2023 to win his tenth Australian Open title. Many believe that this performance deserves to be rewarded accordingly, and the possibility of Novak Djokovic having an arena with his name in the Melbourne complex was brought into the discussion.
Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley discussed the possibility of the Serb having an arena named after him in Melbourne on the “Rock ‘n’ Roll Tennis” podcast. Tiley said he would agree, but unlike the other three Grand Slams, the Australian Open doesn’t own the arenas, it just rents them. Thus, the name of the arena depends a lot on the Australian government.
Australian Open director Craig Tiley: ‘I’m all for it’
“You’re the second person to ask me that today. Look, the name of the arena is not my decision or Tennis Australia’s, because we… A lot of people don’t realize that Wimbledon, Roland Garros and the US Open own the courts that the tournaments are played on. We lease them, the Victorian State Government owns the property and we’re lucky enough to have them invest in them. However, we do not own them.
We start preparations for the tour in September, and in December we finalize everything for the event and have control until mid-February, and then there are concerts and other events throughout the year. We do not have a monopoly on the complex. We would like to own them, but that is not the case.
The government is doing an excellent job in timing the event. Our tournament is different from other events. Naming the arena would be a decision that should also have government influence. I’m for it, but it’s not up to me. I certainly support that Novak be recognized in one way or another for his incredible achievements here in Australia” , said Craig Tiley, quoted by eurosport.ro.
After winning the title at the US Open, Novak Djokovic played one more match, at the Davis Cup, when he defeated Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. The Serbian announced that he will not participate in the Asian tournaments and that he will return for the ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Paris-Bercy.
