Why is Novak Djokovic talking about his ‘special relationship’ with a Melbourne tree?

‘There’s one particular tree that I’ve been having [a] special relationship with, so to say, in the last 15 years.’ Novak Djokovic opens up about one of his favourite spots at Melbourne’s botanical gardens. Photograph: Novak Djokovic Instagram

Novak Djokovic may not have received the universal love from Australian fans that other tennis greats of his era enjoyed, but the world No 1 has now opened up about a “special relationship” he has had in Melbourne and the strength it has given him over the past 15 years.

After his four-set defeat of local hope Alexei Popyrin on Rod Laver Arena on Wednesday night, the Serbian star spoke about a particular spot in Melbourne’s botanical gardens, home to a special tree he has kept returning to whenever he’s in town.