Novak Djokovic accompanies Jonathan Erlich into tennis retirement
Novak Djokovic is not necessarily considered a double specialist - which is certainly also due to the fact that he very rarely appears there. In the coming week in Tel Aviv, however, Djoker wants to make an exception, with good reason.
by Florian Goosmann
last edit: Sep 20, 2022, 07:54 pm
Novak Djokovic is finally back in tennis this weekend and will appear at the Laver Cup in London. The Djoker will then enter the tournament business in the coming week, then at the ATP 250 tournament in Tel Aviv. There Djokovic will play regularly for the first time since his Wimbledon victory. The 35-year-old had to skip the Canadian and US hard court season, including the US Open, because a missing corona vaccination did not allow him to enter here.
In Tel Aviv, Djokovic is of course the top star, but Marin Cilic, Diego Schwartzman and US Open semi-finalist Karen Khachanov are also at the start.
And Djokovic even honors himself in doubles - a rare picture. Especially this year, Djokovic has not yet competed in a pair skating tournament.
Djokovic honors Erlich
Why now? It probably has to do mainly with the partner: Jonathan Erlich. The 45-year-old will give his farewell performance from tennis at the home game. And has good memories with Djokovic. Or rather the other way round: While Erlich has won an impressive 22 doubles titles in the course of his career and was even number 5 in the world in 2008, Djokovic has only won one doubles tournament - with Erlich, in Queen's in 2010.
"The best memory of my life in doubles was with you," said Djokovic in a video message to "Johnny". "You gave me the pleasure of winning my only doubles tournament with you at Queen's." Djokovic also praised the kindness that Erlich always shows to him and his team, "everyone likes you and everyone will miss you on the tour."
Will Djokovic possibly sweeten someone else's farewell in tennis with a double match? At the Laver Cup this weekend, Roger Federer is due to say goodbye...