In order to prepare for the 2022 Tel Aviv Open final, Novak Djokovic took on a difficult challenge by playing some wheelchair tennis. The Serbian tennis legend engaged in a few rallies with Israeli player Elay Chayot to have a personal understanding of the difficulties presented by the format.
Let’s play with @DjokerNole at Tel Aviv Watergen Open 2022! 🎾@atptour #telavivopen #atptour #atptour #watergen pic.twitter.com/2eZD8DQhcM
— Tel Aviv Watergen Open (@telavivopen) October 2, 2022
After playing alongside Chayot, a professional wheelchair tennis player, Djokovic posted on Instagram about his sentiments. Prior to their first few rallies, Chayot coached the Serb and gave him some insider tips.
Djokovic has experimented with wheelchair tennis before, so this is not the first time. In the past, during an exhibition match at the Australian Open, he also competed alongside legendary Australian tennis player Dylan Alcott. He spoke with wheelchair tennis champion Gustavo Fernandez a few years ago to understand more about the sport’s rules. Then, he posted on social media to show his respect for wheelchair tennis players and to admit that every time he tried to play, it was “super hard.”
Meanwhile, Djokovic defeated Marin Cilic in straight sets with the score of 6-3, 6-4 at the ATP Tel Aviv Open 2022 to win the title.