Former Medvedev coach on Djokovic's Australian Open participation: "If he does not play in this or that tournament, what will happen to him? Only the tournament will suffer
ATP
Medvedev's former coach Jean-Rene Lisnard doesn't think anything will change the legendary status of Novak Djokovic.
Djokovic's career has been incredible and it's still going strong with the Serbian recently winning back-to-back trophies in Tel Aviv and Astana. Even so, the Australian Open is coming up and his participation is still up in the air after last year's fiasco.
It possibly cost him a grand slam, and could one more if he doesn't get a chance to play but Lisnard is not worried. According to the coach, his legacy is cemented:
"Djokovic is Djokovic, and he will remain so regardless of participation or non-participation in the Australian Open. He is Superovich!. If he does not play in this or that tournament, what will happen to him? Only the tournament will suffer. He fights for his rights - and I think he is right."
Lisnard added:
"Before, I didn’t really like him, but the further this whole situation went, the more sympathy I felt for him. He is the only one in this tennis world who can call a spade a spade and do what he wants. This commands great respect."
And more:
"It is easier for Novak to do this than for young tennis players, because he has already won everything that is possible. If he was a 20-year-old player, if he were at the beginning of his journey, the situation would be different. However, in any case, he can afford what no one else can."
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