NOVAK Djokovic has officially accepted the position of Swan Hill Mayor for the next two weeks and his first order of business was to run out of the Australian Open draw and greet the local kids who travelled to Melbourne to support him on Friday.
Dressed up in “Mallee Djoker” shirts, the world number one was blown away by the support Swan Hill was giving him, runnin away from his handlers just to make sure he could greet his constituents.
Ducking under the Australian Open trophy where the draw was taking place, he ran down the stairs to find the group of more than 20, who were previously told they were unable to speak to him.
He spent a few minutes signing tennis balls, taking photos and chatting with the kids, an experience they will not soon forget.
Eventually, he had to get on the with the show, but Swan Hill Lawn Tennis and Croquet club president Peter Morrison said it was just the thought that counted for the kids.
“It was a fantastic experience for myself, the mayor Les McPhee and the group of kids that came down on the bus … we all put shirts and headbands on, and when they saw Novak they gave him a great cheer chanting “Swan Hill, Go Novak” and he noticed them,” he said.
“We were able to present him with the Mayor’s robes and he accepted the position and said he will come to Swan Hill if he wins.”
Novak quickly put the shirt on and ran outside to the kids where he told them a few special words.
“I promise you the best two weeks of your life,” the Serbian said.
“Awesome. Thank you so much for your support, I promise you a lot of good tennis in these two weeks, that is all I can promise.
“There are a lot of emotions, a lot of wins, Maybe I come and visit Swan Hill with the trophy, how about that?”
Following the meeting with the children, Novak posted a Facebook status to more than six million Facebook followers about Swan Hill.
The comments were well received by all in the Swan Hill tennis fraternity, especially after Novak’s strong 2015 season.
The Mallee Djoker will play Korea’s Hyeon Chung in the first round of the Open.
If anyone would like a shirt to wear while in Melbourne, Morrison said it was possible to contact him.
“We have had great sponsorship, from places [like shirt sponsor Swan Hill Kia], and if you are at the tennis, no matter what match, we want to see the shirts around,” he said.
To get a shirt, call Peter Morrison on 0437 002 804.
