Revealed: The bizarre and heartwarming story behind Novak Djokovic's decision to wear a very strange shirt at the Australian Open

Novak Djokovic whitethorn beryllium astatine the centre of a media tempest astatine the Australian Open, but the Serbian champion inactive recovered clip to present 1 of the astir wholesome moments of the tournament.

The 10-time Australian Open champion experienced a touching astonishment during an interrogation with Eurosport commentator and erstwhile Austrian tennis subordinate Barbara Schett past week. 

The astonishment came successful the signifier of Jan Lastovika, a devoted instrumentality who met Djokovic 20 years agone during his Australian Open debut. 

Jan was joined by his wife, and the mates wore T-shirts featuring a photograph of Jan with a 17-year-old Djokovic. 

The mates had been fixed tickets by Djokovic to ticker the lucifer from the broadcast booth, an acquisition they described arsenic unforgettable.

Jan Lastovika archetypal encountered Djokovic during his qualifying matches 2 decades ago. 

At the time, Djokovic was conscionable 17 years aged and had lone begun his travel connected the satellite tennis stage. 

Reflecting connected that moment, Jan said, '20 years ago, Djokovic qualified for the archetypal time, helium was 17 years old. I had been watching him, I went around, I said this feline is precise good. There was cipher from Serbia, I was his lone fan.'

Lastovika shared however hard it had been to conscionable the tennis prima successful caller years, fixed his immense popularity. 

'We tried to conscionable him for truthful galore years, but it's intolerable due to the fact that helium has truthful galore fans,' Jan said.

'You can't adjacent travel adjacent him anymore.'

When the mates yet met Djokovic during the interview, the emotions were palpable. 

Djokovic warmly embraced them, wearing the T-shirt they had brought. 

He expressed his gratitude by saying, 'Thank you truthful much, overmuch love.'

For Jan, the infinitesimal was a imagination travel true. 

Beaming with joy, helium said, 'I ne'er dreamed then, I had nary thought I americium going to spot Djokovic actually. And I did. How is that? Top of the day. Best time ever.'

The touching enactment resonated profoundly with Djokovic fans crossed the world. 

Social media lit up with heartfelt reactions, with fans sharing their admiration for the tennis prima and the moment. 

One instrumentality commented, 'Just beautiful. If you don't similar Novak, determination is thing incorrect with you.' 

Another wrote, 'Warms my heart,' portion 1 much added, 'I'm not crying, you are.'

Djokovic is presently enforcing a media prohibition with big broadcaster Channel 9 pursuing comments made by seasoned big Tony Jones.

Jones mocked Djokovic and his Serbian supporters during the broadcast connected Friday, issuing a nationalist apology connected Monday.

Djokovic's efforts to reward his archetypal Australian instrumentality highlighted the enslaved helium has with his Serbian protagonist base.

He was besides photographed wearing the garment walking up the passageway astatine Rod Laver Arena and successful the grooming rooms astatine Melbourne Park.

The 24-time expansive slam winner, who has surged into the 4th finals of the Australian Open erstwhile again, besides shared images wearing the garment to his Instagram Story.

He besides shared a connection to his fans aft declining the post-match interrogation due to the fact that of the comments made by Jones.

'Hey guys, convey you each for your support. Great lucifer against Lehecka, who is successful large form. I'm looking guardant to the adjacent matchup with Carlos, but I conscionable privation to instrumentality a infinitesimal to bespeak connected what happened connected the court,' helium said. 

I permission it to Channel 9, and hopefully, the concern volition alteration earlier my adjacent match. All the best.'