Google News Rising star Tomas Martin Etcheverry reveals how Novak Djokovic influenced his career
by DZEVAD MESIC
Rising Argentine Tomas Martin Etcheverry revealed his "idol Novak Djokovic was the main reason" he pursued a pro tennis career. Etcheverry, 23, made his first two ATP finals this year and he is also currently enjoying a career-high ranking of No 49 in the world.
After collecting his first ATP point in 2016 July, Etcheverry posed with a hand-written sign that was revealing how far he was from at the time Djokovic's 12900 points. Last month, Etcheverry got a chance to play against his tennis idol as Djokovic beat the Argentine 7-6 (5) 6-2 in the Rome Masters third round.
After the match, Etcheverry got a chance to speak with Djokovic.
Etcheverry: Djokovic was the reason I went into tennis
"Maybe I can post a new one soon, in the next month, maybe if I can get to top 20. Novak is my idol, he's the main reason I went into tennis.
When I changed to Head rackets I immediately said I need the rackets of Djokovic. We spoke a little bit after our match in Rome. He's such a nice guy, very easy, a legend," Etcheverry told rolandgarros.com. At the French Open, Etcheverry has been through to the third round.
That means Etcheverry - who exited the 2022 French Open in the first round - will achieve a new career-high after this year's Roland Garros edition. "At the start of the year I changed a lot in my game and since I've played incredible, especially on the clay.
I just want to trust this tennis, to keep working on it, day by day. I want to be top 20 by the end of the year. If I continue like this I think I have a chance. I need to add more weapons to my game for sure, but now I focus on Roland-Garros," Etcheverry said. It remains to be seen if Etcheverry can land his first title and break into the top-20 before the season ends.