Watch: Novak Djokovic gives kids in Belgrade an impromptu tennis lesson
World No. 1 Novak Djokovic will be returning to action at the Monte-Carlo Masters next week. The Serb is stepping up his preparations on clay ahead of the French Open, where he is set to defend the crown that he won last year.
A video of the Serb recently surfaced online in which he can be seen giving tennis lessons to kids on the streets of Belgrade.
This is very cool from @DjokerNole
https://t.co/xNyu1jYQgH
Djokovic is seemingly walking his dog as he comes across a group of young boys and girls and is seen giving them advice and tips on how to hit a forehand. Moments later, we see a young boy with the World No. 1 who is seen correcting his grip on the forehand and also correcting his swing.
With the boy taking a couple of practice swings, Djokovic warned him not to hit the kids around him.
"Careful, careful, so you don't hit the girls," he said in Serbian.
Novak Djokovic gears up for claycourt season, to start in Monte-Carlo
With the likes of Daniil Medvedev and Rafael Nadal breathing down his neck in the ATP rankings, it is imperative that Novak Djokovic does well on clay this season.
After the Monte-Carlo Masters, the World No. 1 will compete in his home tournament in Serbia. Novak Djokovic will be determined to use this opportunity to consolidate his position at the top of the rankings and find his best form ahead of his title defense at Roland Garros in May.
@DjokerNole
@atptour https://t.co/EV9z2IBBVn
Novak Djokovic has won the Monte-Carlo Masters twice - 2013 and 2015 - and will be going up against the likes of Miami Open champion Carlos Alcaraz and familiar foe Stan Wawrinka, who was handed a wildcard for the event. Daniil Medvedev and Rafael Nadal will both miss the Masters 1000 tournament due to injury.
Djokovic will be playing in his first tournament since the Dubai Duty Free Championships, where he was shocked by Jiří Veselý in the quarterfinals. The Serb has 90 points to defend at this event and will be keen to go deep and strengthen his hold on the No. 1 spot.