Amid His Relentless Australian Open Heroics, 22-Year-Old Sebastian Korda Narrates Energizing Novak Djokovic Anecdote That Changed His Life

Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic has inspired many during his long and illustrious career. A few of them are current-generation tennis stars. American tennis sensation Sebastian Korda had his fan moment back in 2009. He recently faced the man who inspired him to pick up the racket in the Adelaide Internationals final.

The American has maintained his form and has made it to the quarterfinal of the Australian Open. After winning his fourth-round match, Korda spoke about his decision to switch from ice hockey to tennis. Also, how watching Novak Djokovic play inspired his decision.

Watching Novak Djokovic play Inspired Sebastian Korda

Back in 2009, Sebastian Korda had a great passion for ice hockey. His father was a tennis coach who worked with Radek Stepanek. Although the American had no interest in tennis, a match in the 2009 US Open changed everything for him. Here’s what happened.

“I played ice hockey until I was 10 years old. I switched over because I went to the US Open in 2009 with my dad and Radek. He made round of 16 I think it was, he played Novak on Arthur Ashe 10:30 at night, completely packed,” Korda said.

He further added, “I went back the next day, and I said, This is what I want to do. I fell in love with the energy of the crowd, the way the sport is played, how mental it is. Yeah, just the rest is history.”

Read more: All You Need To Know About American Prodigy Sebastian Korda and Andre Agassi’s Special Relationship

While the American tennis star already met Djokovic recently in the final of Adelaide International, there are chances of the two clashing again in the Australian Open.

Korda had Djokovic under immense pressure at the Adelaide International final

Sebastian Korda shocked everyone with his amazing skillsets in the Adelaide Internationals final. He started with a bang and took the first set. In the second set also, the American was doing well and was on the verge of a victory. Meanwhile, a frustrated Djokovic snapped at his own support staff.

However, the 21-time Grand Slam champion staged a phenomenal comeback later. He not only saved the set but also took the next set to register a brilliant win. While Korda made it to the quarterfinal, Djokovic will face local star Alex de Minaur in the fourth round of the Australian Open.

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It will be interesting to see if we get to see a rematch of the Adelaide International final in the Australian Open.