Novak Djokovic in action at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship. (Getty Images)
Novak Djokovic revealed that he loves watching Gael Monfils play tennis after his quarterfinal win at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship.
Djokovic is currently featuring at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship, more commonly known as the Dubai Open.
The reigning Australian Open champion has continued his good form from the Grand Slam event as he entered the last four of the ATP 500 tournament overcoming Russian Karen Khachanov.
After a comfortable 6-2, 6-2 win against Khachanov, Djokovic has set up a semi-final clash against France’s Gael Monfils.
Djokovic was talking to the media when he opened up on his thoughts about his next opponent.
“Gael Monfils is in form. I mean he is top-ten of the world and he’s playing possibly his best tennis that he has ever played. I think his best season was almost ten years or even more ago, when he was six, seven in the world and playing semis of Grand Slams.
“You know I have never lost to him but we had some really long matches and tough encounters. One of the best if not the best athletes in our sport. Moves so well, he is so fit. He’s got for me the most interesting game in tennis. I love watching him play and I love playing against him.”
Meanwhile, Djokovic has a superior 16-0 head-to-head advantage against his semifinal opponent.
Djokovic also had a lot of praise for Monfils’ opponent in the quarters, Richard Gasquet.
He said that though he loved watching Monfils play, he also had respect for Gasquet.
“But you know got to pay respect to Gasquet (Richard Gasquet) as well. They’re just getting on the court. So, I need to say a few words about him obviously. Also, I have a very good record against Richard but quite a different player and style of tennis than Monfils.
“Plays with a one-handed backhand, with a lot of spin and he likes to have a little bit more time so he can get in the right position and balance. He uses slice, and he’s so talented, both of them very talented players.”
The 17-time Grand Slam winner concluded by jokingly saying that whatever may be the result (between Monfils and Gasquet), he was definitely going to face a French player in the next game.
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