CALIFORNIA (USA): Tennis star Novak Djokovic revealed basketball legend Kobe Bryant‘s had played a key role in helping him understand the process of coming back during his injury-riddled phase a couple of years ago, the Serb was lucky to get inputs.
“Kobe has been one of my mentors,” Djokovic told ESPN during the ongoing Australian Open campaign.
Bryant, who died in a helicopter crash on Sunday, made sure he did not let this wealth of experience and knowledge go waste.
The world number 2 has been playing some glorious tennis in the last two seasons but there was a phase between 2017 and 2018 where an elbow injury bothered him a lot.
The Serb had gone without winning a Grand Slam in 2017 which ended a six-year run wherein he won at least 1 major title per year.
“I mean, I’m trying, but it’s not working. That’s all. That’s all it is,” Djokovic said at a press conference after his exit from Miami Open.
Things changed for Djokovic in the latter half of 2018. From being clueless about his return to fitness to dominating the tour and winning the Wimbledon and US Open that year, Djokovic came back strong.
“He (Kobe) was one of the people who was really there for me to give me some very valuable advice and guidelines to kind of believe and trust in myself, trust the process that I’ll be back,” said Djokovic.
Bryant himself revealed he shared a close relationship with Djokovic, and what he told the Serb when he was at the US Open in 2019. “I’m very grateful to him for being there for me, for being very supportive. I love Kobe, who doesn’t? He’s an amazing guy and one of the best basketball players and athletes of all-time,” added the Serb.
