Novak Djokovic: 'I was fortunate to have a personal relationship with Kobe Bryant'

As was expected, Novak Djokovic gave a tribute to his close friend and mentor Kobe Bryant while stepping at Rod Laver Arena on Tuesday night ahead of the clash against Milos Raonic. With letters K and B, there were also numbers eight and 24 on Novak's right side of the jacket, competing for the first time after the tragic death of one of the greatest basketball players and athletes of all time. Playing in the quarter-final in Melbourne for the 11th time, Novak took down Raonic 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 in two hours and 49 minutes, advancing into the semi-final for the eighth time and setting the 50th clash against Roger Federer.

Novak grabbed the tenth victory from as many meetings against Milos, performing well on both serve and return to control the scoreboard and seal the deal in straight sets and stay on the title course. The match could have lasted less but Djokovic managed to convert only two out of 16 break chances, failing to create the advantage earlier in the opening two sets and squandering all four opportunities in set number three before sealing the deal in the tie break. Asked about Kobe Bryant by John McEnroe, the emotional Serb repeated that Kobe was an inspiration for himself and many other people around the world, feeling grateful for having a chance of knowing him for some ten years and getting support and advice whenever he needed it. 

"Kobe's death really caught us by surprise,' said Djokovic. "He was one of the greatest athletes of all time, inspiring myself and many other people around the world. I had the fortune to have a personal relationship with him over the last ten years; when I needed some advice and support, he was there for me. He was my mentor and my friend and it is heartbreaking to see and hear what happened to him and his daughter. It is unbelievable."

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2GwoQmG