Serb Novak Djokovic, who won his 21st major tennis title on Sunday after beating Australia’s Nick Kyrgios in the Wimbledon final, opened tennis courts at Bosnia’s Pyramid Park, which he regularly visits to “recharge his energy.”
Djokovic, known for his interest in New Testament spirituality, loves the mountain town of Visoko, where thousands of people flock every year to visit the pyramids, which some say are ancient, man-made and have healing powers, scientists say.
The 35-year-old Serbian player visited the site for the first time in 2020, calling it “heaven on earth”.
Djokovic has returned to the Bosnian Pyramid of the Sun at least four times, alone or with his family, always receiving a warm welcome from the site’s founder, Samir Osmanavich.
According to Osmanavić, a Bosnian businessman and archaeologist, the idea of building a “regional training center” with two stadiums was born during the player’s last visit in March.
“This is a special day for Visoko, Bosnia, the whole region, tennis and sports,” the Serbian star said after arriving at the new center.
“The message of this day is peace, sport, future and health,” he added, as hundreds of fans who were near the dense forest greeted him with a standing ovation.
On the occasion of the opening of the center, Djokovic played exhibition matches with Croatian Ivan Dodig, Slovenian Alyaz Bedene and local player Aldin Stikic.
With great relief, Djokovic put on an unusual show that made the audience laugh when he pretended to argue with the judges or try to “bribe” them.
“We just feel the energy here, each in our own way,” Deoko told reporters after the exhibition matches. For me, this is one of the most active places on the planet, and I have seen a lot of them.”
“I just feel like every moment I spend here energizes me and gives me the strength to face the challenges that await me in tennis and in life.”