- Superstar who plays tennis as a four-year-old goes viral
- Images show the Grand Slam winner’s very first lesson
- Video has been viewed more than six million times
Footage of Novak Djokovic’s very first practice session as a child has gone viral online after the Serbian tennis star claimed his 24th major championship at Flushing Meadows.
The 36-year-old won his first US Open title in five years when he defeated Daniil Medvedev in a brutally physical encounter that pushed both men to their limits, even with a straight sets scoreline of 6-3, 7-6, 6 – 3.
After the remarkable performance, grainy video footage appeared online of four-year-old Djokovic during his very first tennis lesson.
The video, dated June 23, 1991, shows the diminutive superstar playing forehand and backhand shots.
Wearing a green tracksuit and a red cap, he shows how to place his feet correctly and how to swing the racket.
Footage of Novak Djokovic’s very first practice session as a four-year-old has gone viral
During a second training session, the youngster collects tennis balls from all over the court as people off camera discuss his love for the game.
“Make him fall in love with it,” says one voice, before another voice adds, “Not only does he love it, but you know, he gets some sort of obligation and a habit of daily content.” And I think… He’s already… It’s getting under his skin.’
In another part of the clip, the four-year-old’s trainer can be heard exclaiming, “Look, a champion, he knows it!”
Towards the end of the video you see Djokovic happily eating an ice cream with his parents.
The video posted on Monday has since been viewed more than six million times and tennis fans are in awe.
“The healthiest workout video on the internet,” one fan replied.
“I love that coach. I wonder if he ever witnessed Novak’s success?’ another wondered.
“That’s probably the last time he eats ice cream in the video, seeing how ripped and shredded he is,” a third joked.
You hear Djokovic’s trainer shout: ‘Look, a champion, he knows it!’
Djokovic now has three of the four available grand slams in 2023 to his name
The Serbian superstar claimed his 24th major championship at Flushing Meadows
“THIS is a Novak Djokovic I could beat,” said another.
A 24th slam eluded Serena Williams, who lost her last four major finals before retiring last year, but not Djokovic, who also becomes the oldest man to win the Flushing Meadows title in the 55-year professional era.
The 36-year-old replaced Australian great Ken Rosewall – who was 35 when he won the 1970 US Open – in the record books with his victory lasting three hours and 16 minutes.
Sunday’s match was a rematch of the 2021 final, which Medvedev won in straight sets for his only major title, denying Djokovic a legendary Grand Slam match for the calendar year.
Djokovic has now won three of the four available grand slams in 2023, having also won the Australian Open and Roland Garros, while losing the Wimbledon final in five sets to Spanish sensation Carlos Alcaraz.
His fourth title from ten Flushing Meadows finals propels the undisputed tennis GOAT back to the top of the rankings, replacing dethroned champion Alcaraz.
Of greater importance to Djokovic is his record against his peers; he is now two shy of Nadal’s 22 Grand Slam titles and four ahead of Roger Federer, who was on 20 last year.