Novak Djokovic - slope spectacle with Benjamin Raich
As expected, Novak Djokovic did an excellent job at the Davis Cup in Innsbruck. There is a good reason to return to Tyrol soon: a day of skiing with Benjamin Raich is coming up.
by Jens Huiber
last edit: Nov 26, 2021, 09:33 pm
From Jens Huiber from Innsbruck
What are Viktor Troicki and Novak Djokovic talking about when they switch sides? As an observer, you inevitably ask yourself this question after observing the two of them at the Davis Cup in Innsbruck's Olympia World on Friday. Djokovic has not only seen everything in the tennis world, but has also won everything. Well, except for an Olympic gold medal, that would be important to him. But a very tough match analysis by Troicki and Djokovic in a 6: 3, 3: 0 lead in the second set against Dennis Novak? Oh well.
Nevertheless: To be able to watch the most successful, probably also the best tennis player of all time at work in an empty hall, that is a privilege. A few years ago Ed Sheeran gave a private concert in a small Tyrolean club, due to the Corona restrictions, the extended Davis Cup weekend in Innsbruck degenerated into one for the number one in the world. The broadcasting TV station is there with full crew, a few print journalists, ITF officials. And a few members of the other teams didn't miss out on the fun either.
Djokovic today against Struff
Novak Djokovic is a team player, which shouldn't be forgotten in the 34-year-old's great individual successes. The Davis Cup is just as important to him as the ATP Cup, which is due in a few weeks. Will Djokovic be there at the start? He has not yet made his travel plans and thus his vaccination status public. In Innsbruck, the players are exempt from the 2G rule, should the Serbs make it to Madrid, the same applies.
The German team would like to prevent Djokovic, Troicki, and Co. from going to Spain, the biggest task falls to Jan-Lennard Struff. Dusan Lajovic did not present himself in outstanding form against Austria, here both Dominik Koepfer or Peter Gojowczyk could have chances (from 4 p.m. live on ServusTV).
Skiing with Benjamin Raich
Like the group opponents Austria and Germany, the Serbs are housed in a feudal hotel in Telfs, but winter has not quite reached Tyrol yet. Novak Djokovic is known as a passionate skier, organizer Herwig Straka presented him with a handcrafted pair of skis as a welcome gift. There won't be a trip to one of the few open ski areas, but Djokovic still has an incentive to come to Tyrol to ski: Benjamin Raich, double Olympic champion and overall World Cup winner, has announced himself as a partner for a day on the slopes. An offer that he will not refuse, as Djokovic stated in his press conference after the win against Dennis Novak. There will be no surprises: Djokovic said he had already spoken to Benni Raich on the phone. Communication is obviously a great strength of the number one not only in the Davis Cup team.
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