Novak Djokovic is not only one of the best tennis players in history, but he is also a champion that is always careful about the well-being of other people. The Serbian sensation is extremely active with his Foundation with the main aim of helping the children in need, and he likes to go for more.
The Player Relief Fund
The world no.1 has been also helping the lower-ranked players that are struggling financially during this Coronavirus pandemic. Nole has been a staunch promoter of the Player Relief Fund that has the aim of helping lower-ranked players. Not everyone agreed with Djokovic about the initiative. For example, world no.4 Dominic Thiem explained he doesn’t approve the scheme as he knows many lower-ranked players not putting a strong effort into the profession so as not to deserve the help. The Austrian added that he was more than happy to help selected people in need.
Djokovic and his initiatives
Besides promoting the Player Relief Fund, Novak has also been helping the Serbian Tennis Federation to set up a tour that will be staged in June and July. During a nice conversation with tennis legend Guga Kuerten, Nole admitted that while he feels comfortable with his personal finances, he is extremely worried about the others.
“We have earned enough money to live comfortable lives. We are lucky and grateful as well to have the life that we have but 95% of tennis players and also, of course, people in the world but we talk about tennis now 95% of players are struggling.
Especially the ones that are lower-ranked. They don’t have the opportunity to compete, and earn money. For a lot of those players, it’s a kind of a survival problem in terms of continuing to play professional tennis or not,” he explained.
Then the world no.1 revealed that he has been spending a lot of time not only with the Serbian Tennis Federation, but also with the other organizations to help the players in need.
“This is the reality. So I did spend a lot of time in these last two months to help the Serbian Tennis Federation to set up a tour. I also spend a lot of time talking with the ATP with the player council and trying to understand with the players, with the ATP management and President and player representatives what are the best ways for us to help the lower-ranked players,” he added.
Djokovic said that he has been active on this front not only as the President of the Council of the ATP, but also for the fact that being the top player in the world he has earned a lot of money.
“So I consider myself responsible as well not just because I am the President of the Council of ATP but also as a top player of the world and someone that had a lot of blessing in tennis and earned a lot of money in tennis.
I need to be on the call as much as I can be available to contribute in any possible way. I did talk with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. There was a lot of communication. I am really glad how the men’s tennis world responded in these difficult times,” he concluded.
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Novak Djokovic in 2020
Currently the world no.1, Djokovic played his last match on the 29th of February when he overcame Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3 6-4 in the final in Dubai to win his 80th career title.
Presently, this year the Serbian has a 18-0 win-loss record. The Serbian has won 2 titles in 2020 at the Australian Open and in Dubai.