BRAZIL: TENNIS - Novak Djokovic inaugurates new tennis court in Rio's biggest slum

Record ID: 860834

  • Title: BRAZIL: TENNIS - Novak Djokovic inaugurates new tennis court in Rio's biggest slum
  • Date: 16th November 2012
  • Summary: RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL (NOVEMBER 16, 2012) (REUTERS- ACCESS ALL) 1. GENERAL OF ROCINHA FAVELA, IN RIO DE JANEIRO 2. VARIOUS OF WORLD NUMBER ONE TENNIS PLAYER, NOVAK DJOKOVIC, WALKING THROUGH NARROW STREET SURROUNDED BY FANS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS 3. DJOKOVIC AND FORMER WORLD NUMBER ONE TENNIS PLAYER, GUSTAVO KUERTEN, STEPPING INTO ROCINHA'S NEWLY BUILT TENNIS COURT 4. CHILDREN WAITING IN THE COURT FOR THE TWO TENNIS SUPERSTARS 5. VARIOUS OF DJOKOVIC AND KUERTEN PLAYING WITH THE CHILDREN AND GIVING THEM TENNIS TIPS 6. VARIOUS OF DJOKOVIC AND KUERTEN OFFICIALLY INAUGURATING THE FIRST TENNIS COURT IN ROCINHA 7. VARIOUS OF DJOKOVIC AND KUERTEN POSING WITH GIANT TENNIS RACKET FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS 8. GENERAL OF DJOKOVIC AT PRESS CONFERENCE 9. (SOUNDBITE) (English) WORLD NUMBER ONE TENNIS PLAYER, NOVAK DJOKOVIC, SAYING: "Brazil with the World Cup in 2014 and the Olympic Games in 2016, definitely, deserves one big major tournament in tennis, and actually, I think there is a very good chance that the Masters Cup, held at the end of (each) year, will be held here in a couple of years." 10. GENERAL OF DJOKOVIC AND KUERTEN POSING FOR PHOTO WITH THE LOCAL CHILDREN
  • Embargoed: 1st December 2012 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Brazil
  • City:
  • Country: Brazil
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA5DFPBR0I9IGE3TL0V94P0Z8G3
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  • Story Text: The world's number one tennis player, Novak Djokovic, inaugurated a brand new tennis court in one of Rio's most violent shanty towns on Friday (November 16) as he kicked off a three-day tour. Djokovic's first stop was Rocinha, a huge favela (shanty town) on the outskirts of Rio the Janeiro. Djokovic was the guest of honour at the opening of a newly built tennis court, right in the heart of the Rocinha community.
    Surrounded by a throng of reporters and fans, Djokovic was all smiles during his visit. Together with his childhood idol and former world number one, Gustavo Kuerten, the Serb spent time with local children, sharing tennis tips.

    Asked about the possibility of Brazil hosting a major tournament as part of the ATP circuit, the tennis star said he welcomed the idea:

    "Brazil with the World Cup in 2014 and the Olympic Games in 2016, definitely, deserves one big major tournament in tennis, and actually, I think there is a very good chance that the Masters Cup, held at the end of (each) year, will be held here in a couple of years," he said.

    On Saturday (November 17), Djokovic will pay with a tennis match against Kuerten at the Maracanazinho Arena just beside the world famous Maracana Stadium. On Sunday (November 18) Djokovic will showcase his soccer skills at Rio's Engenhao Stadium in a game with former Brazilian stars and other celebrities. The Serb finished the tennis season on a high in London this year with an impressive win over Roger Federer in the ATP finals.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2012. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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