The best tennis player in the world, Novak Djokovic, credits his passion for skiing as a key factor in his success.ย The Serb grew up at his countryโs leading ski resort of Kopaonik, which recently opened a year-round ski run, and his father, aunts and an uncle were all pro skiers, reports In The Snow.
โFor us, itโs kind of normal to be on the slopes. I grew up on the mountain,โ said Djokovic, โI think that has helped my development also as a person and a tennis player,โ he said during an interview at the recent Miami Open.
He believes skiing helped with his bodyโs flexibility and was also good for his mental strength.
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Most world-class sports stars have contracts which prevent them from participating in adventure sports like skiing, but Djokovic, who has recently won his third grand slam title in succession, ensured his contract has no such clause.
Prior to the competition, Novak Djokovic had been back in Italy, one of his favorite areas, posting videos of his skiing.