ATP star uses telling phrase to describe brutal challenge of facing Novak Djokovic

Ewan West 13 Feb 2024 2:36 PM

Novak Djokovic continues to win at the Australian Open

Tomas Martin Etcheverry has echoed and expanded on a phrase used by Andy Roddick to illustrate the difficulty of facing tennis legend Novak Djokovic.

The world No 27 discussed his experience of taking on Djokovic on Rod Laver Arena and likened it to the challenge of playing Rafael Nadal on Court Philippe Chatrier at the French Open.

Etcheverry has lost all three of his encounters with Djokovic, having fell to the 24-time Grand Slam champion in the third round of the 2024 Australian Open last month.

The 24-year-old Argentine is yet to win a set against the world No 1, who he also lost to at the Masters 1000 tournaments in Rome and Paris last year.

Etcheverry, who has revealed Djokovic is his idol, said of the 36-year-old at Wimbledon last year: “I love him, it is true because since I was a child I wanted to be like him.

“I play with the same racquet like Novak, because when I changed brands to HEAD, the first racquet I asked for was the Novak racquet. I wanted to play with the Novak racquet. I’m trying to do some shots like him. Of course, he’s my idol, and hopefully, in the future, I can speak with him.”

In an interview with Clay, Etcheverry was asked if he agreed with Andy Roddick’s quote that Djokovic “takes your legs, then takes your soul” in matches.

“Yes, the phrase is very good and accurate, that first he eats your legs, then he eats your mind or soul, and then he finishes destroying you. Yes, that is true,” the Argentine said.

“I knew the scenario I was facing [against Djokovic at the Australian Open]. I knew it was his court, his tournament. Like facing Rafa [Nadal] at the Phillippe Chatrier, or that kind of thing. I played my match, it was a beautiful thing, a unique experience that I take with me.

“Obviously, I was a little bit upset because I couldn’t do what I wanted to do in terms of my game, but it’s part of it, to continue, to keep learning, to realise what I did well and what I did wrong. Having had the opportunity is something that helps me to grow.”

Etcheverry, who is competing at the Argentina Open in Buenos Aires this week, also spoke about his relationship with his fellow ATP players in the locker room.

“They are all very cool. Carlos [Alcaraz], Jannik [Sinner], Novak himself too. They are great people, they always greet you, very attentive. Rafa [Nadal] also in Brisbane, we shared there and he was watching my match,” he added.

“The tour is very diverse: different people, different countries, different cultures, you have to know how to understand each other.

“I have great relationships with other tennis players, especially with my compatriots, with Fran [Cerundolo], with Seba [Baez]. Having relationships outside is very important.

“We know we are rivals the next day, but we are always alone, far from home. And we share every week, we see the same faces, we are just us.”