Looking inward, Djokovic hopes he too, is leading by example. It’s a responsibility the 21-time major champion embraces, for sport has the power to communicate with individuals from all walks of life.
“I want to believe that people, especially children and young people, identify themselves with me. I try to have that always, as awareness in everything I do, wherever I go, whatever I say,” he said.
“We as athletes have a huge privilege to have the platform and have that voice. Sport is followed by billions of people around the world. Sport speaks the universal language, it crashes all the borders, I guess.
“Hopefully many kids will grab a tennis racquet because of watching me or other tennis players.”
Djokovic will seek a record-extending 10th Australian Open title when he returns to Melbourne next month. He was expected to face Nick Kyrgios Wednesday in Dubai, though was replaced by Falcons teammate Grigor Dimitrov after determining he wasn’t fit enough to step on court.