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MELBOURNE: Novak Djokovic said on Friday that tennis needs to be “more fun” and suggested dancers should be brought on court during breaks.
The Serbian veteran said while the sport had a proud history and tradition, it had been slow in keeping pace with a new generation that does not have “a great attention span.”
He was commenting after admitting he got “hot-headed” with elements of the crowd during his Australian Open third-round win against 26th seed Tomas Machac.
Some light mid-match entertainment might also help fans and players relax, he said.
“I think that we should try to look to connect more with the younger people,” he said. “I want to see a little bit more entertainment.
“For example, why wouldn’t we consider doing something between the sets like the Super Bowl or, I don’t know, the NBA?
“When there is a timeout, they have, you know, dancers come in and this and that. I wouldn’t have a problem with that.
“Nice dancers, there for a few minutes more break so I can relax my nerves and think about something else.
“I feel like it would bring more fun elements and entertainment to tennis, that we know has been quite traditional and maybe conservative in some things.”
Djokovic, who is bidding for a record 25th Grand Slam title in Melbourne, said he respected the traditions of Wimbledon too much to suggest it should occur at the All England Club.
But he was open to new concepts being introduced elsewhere.
“With Wimbledon I wouldn’t change much. I would keep it as it is because it’s so unique, all white and strawberries and cream and everything about it is just so elegant and classy,” he said.
“But all the others, US Open, I mean, in USA, you guys know very well what entertainment is about.
“So I’m up for it, just like maybe gradual changes.
“Dancers first.”

SHUBAYTAH: Yazeed Al-Rajhi made history on Friday becoming the first driver from host nation ��������Ƶ to win the Dakar Rally.
The Overdrive pilot held onto his overnight lead to beat South Africa’s Henk Lategan in a Toyota by 3min 57sec with Mattias Ekstrom of Sweden third in his Ford, 20min 21sec adrift.
��������Ƶ have hosted the Dakar Rally since 2020, when it moved from South America.
 

��������Ƶ celebrates its champion!
Yazeed Al Rajhi makes history on home soil.

— DAKAR RALLY (@dakar)

There was also a first win in the world’s most famous endurance rally for Australia’s KTM rider Daniel Sanders in the motorbike category.
Sanders, 30, dominated from the moment he won the prologue and finished a comfortable 8min 50sec faster than Spanish runner-up Tosha Schareina on his Honda.
Sanders is the second Australian to prevail in the motorbike category, Toby Price emerging victorious in 2016 and 2019.
“It was a tough race,” said Sanders.
“The last three days couldn’t come quick enough. It was really, really exciting to see the finish line when we came over one dune.
“You see the whole bivouac, I just smiled and had chills go through my whole body. Super special, won’t forget that moment.”