“It was really dangerous”
Tennis superstar experienced violence after PSG celebration up close
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PSG celebrated the Champions League victory in Paris on Sunday. There was also tennis star Novak Djokovic. However, he got into the middle of chaos.
Novak Djokovic is a huge football fan. And that is why the Serbian tennis star did not miss the opportunity to stop by Paris Saint-Germain on the eve of his round of 16 at the French Open in the neighboring Prinzenpark and in the stands after the Champions League triumph from Munich. But it became a middle odyssey for the Grand Slam record winner.
“When we wanted to go back to our hotel after midnight, we were advised to look for a place to sleep near the stadium,” said the 38-year-old after his relaxed three-set victory over Cameron Norrie on Monday: “There were burning cars and tear gas on the streets around our Hotel am Arc de Triomphe and so it was really dangerous.”
Ultimately, Djokovic and his entourage still decided to start the delicate way home. “We ultimately also reached our hotel, everything is fine. But all kinds of things happened outside in front of the hotel. It was interesting to watch it from the window – but somehow it was all out of control,” said Djokovic.
Although not for rioters, he understanded for the exaggerating fans: “Paris is one of the most important cities in the world, and they won the Champions League for the first time,” he said, “of course people are out of the house.”