World tennis number one Novak Djokovic has revealed he has a “special relationship” with a tree in Melbourne, which helps him meditate and ground himself during the Australian Open.
Djokovic, 36, speaking after beating Australia’s Alexei Popyrin in four sets in the Rod Laver Arena on Wednesday night, said he’d been visiting the tree for about 15 years.
Asked by a journalist afterwards about being spotted returning to one specific tree at Melbourne’s botanical gardens, Djokovic said: “There’s one particular tree that I’ve been having [a] special relationship with, so to say, in the last 15 years.”
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
0:27 Djokovic responds to a reporter in Chinese
As for what drew him him to it, he said: “I got connected with that tree. I just liked it. I liked its roots and the trunks and branches and everything. So I started climbing it years ago. That’s it. I just have a connection.
“I love every corner of [the] botanical gardens. I think it’s [an] incredible treasure for Melbourne to have such a park and nature in the middle of the city.”
Djokovic refused to identify which particular tree it was, though, saying: “I cannot reveal which one, I’ll try to keep it discreet for myself when I’m there to have my own time.”
Djokovic has posted pictures of himself around trees on social media, including one where he was barefoot standing in a tree in London in 2018.
Instagram This content is provided by Instagram, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Instagram cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options. Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Instagram cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Instagram cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
The Serbian, who is trying to win the first grand slam tournament of the year, for the 11th time, had a confrontation with a heckler at a crucial point in the match.
He took issue with a comment from a spectator and approached the stands to tell him to “come here and say it to my face”.
Read more:
Highly venomous snake stops play
‘Sit down and shut up’, Djokovic tells British fan
British tennis player sick after match
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
0:41 Novak Djokovic sings Beastie Boys with fans
Asked what the heckler said, Djokovic replied: “I mean, you don’t want to know.
“There was a lot of things that were being told to me on the court, particularly from that corner, and the same side the other corner.”