Novak Djokovic took centre stage at Expo 2020 Dubai on Thursday ahead of his return to the tennis courts next week in the emirate.
The world's top-ranked tennis player was speaking at the Serbia pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai to promote the work of the Novak Djokovic Foundation.
The 20-time Grand Slam winner said a sense of purpose, personal fulfillment and happiness were as much the hallmarks of a champion as being regarded as the best in your field.
He also said children were the most important asset the world has for its future development.
“There is a false perception about what the definition of a champion is these days,” said the 34-year-old Serb.
“We usually associate a champion as the person who is holding the trophy.
“But someone who has found purpose and a sense of identity, and feels fulfilled and happy is just as much a champion in their own way.”
He said society is too quick to judge success solely by glittering achievements, often dismissing the efforts of unsung heroes in the process.
“Society places too much pressure on the individual,” Djokovic said.
“If you have not earned a certain amount of money or are not recognised as being one of the top 10 or 20 in your field, for what you have worked for your entire life, then you are regarded as a failure.
“This is a big issue we are facing collectively in how we treat people.”
Djokovic elaborated on the work of his foundation, which was set up to help provide children with opportunities for a better future.
One of the foundation’s main targets is to ensure every child in Serbia has access to quality education by the year 2030.
“Children are the most important asset this planet has for the future,” Djokovic said.
He also told the audience it was important to create a supportive environment for children to develop. “You might think I would want to push my own son to play tennis,” he said, referring to seven-year-old Stefan.
“I’ve never done that though. If he was ever going to want to play tennis, I want it to be organic and natural to do it.
“Now that has happened and he is playing every day with my friend’s son.
“99.9 per cent of children who pick up a tennis racket do so because they love the sport, not because they want to make money.”
Djokovic set for Dubai comeback
Djokovic hit the headlines when he was deported from Australia last month in a row over his vaccine status.
He told the BBC this week he was willing to sacrifice more titles rather than being forced to be vaccinated against Covid-19.
He is due to make his comeback next week at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.
“In the future, I might be more involved in person with the foundation as my tournament schedule’s not as busy as it used to be,” he quipped, much to the delight of the audience.
Also speaking at the event was his wife Jelena, who serves as the global director of the foundation.
She said her husband was an example of what can be achieved when a child receives the right kind of support from an early age.
“Once upon a time he was a young child who had a dream,” she said. “Thanks to the people who recognised that dream and nurtured it, he is now able to touch the lives of millions of people around the world.
“I don’t think we can wrong if we instill good values in a child from an early age.”
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
THE BIO
Favourite author - Paulo Coelho
Favourite holiday destination - Cuba
New York Times or Jordan Times? NYT is a school and JT was my practice field
Role model - My Grandfather
Dream interviewee - Che Guevara
How has net migration to UK changed?
The figure was broadly flat immediately before the Covid-19 pandemic, standing at 216,000 in the year to June 2018 and 224,000 in the year to June 2019.
It then dropped to an estimated 111,000 in the year to June 2020 when restrictions introduced during the pandemic limited travel and movement.
The total rose to 254,000 in the year to June 2021, followed by steep jumps to 634,000 in the year to June 2022 and 906,000 in the year to June 2023.
The latest available figure of 728,000 for the 12 months to June 2024 suggests levels are starting to decrease.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
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Banned items
Dubai Police has also issued a list of banned items at the ground on Sunday. These include:
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Political flags or banners
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Bikes, skateboards or scooters
MATCH INFO
Liverpool 2 (Van Dijk 18', 24')
Brighton 1 (Dunk 79')
Red card: Alisson (Liverpool)
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203S%20Money%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202018%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20London%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ivan%20Zhiznevsky%2C%20Eugene%20Dugaev%20and%20Andrei%20Dikouchine%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20FinTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%245.6%20million%20raised%20in%20total%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final:
First leg: Liverpool 5 Roma 2
Second leg: Wednesday, May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
TV: BeIN Sports, 10.45pm (UAE)
Read more about the coronavirus
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Keep it fun and engaging
Stuart Ritchie, director of wealth advice at AES International, says children cannot learn something overnight, so it helps to have a fun routine that keeps them engaged and interested.
“I explain to my daughter that the money I draw from an ATM or the money on my bank card doesn’t just magically appear – it’s money I have earned from my job. I show her how this works by giving her little chores around the house so she can earn pocket money,” says Mr Ritchie.
His daughter is allowed to spend half of her pocket money, while the other half goes into a bank account. When this money hits a certain milestone, Mr Ritchie rewards his daughter with a small lump sum.
He also recommends books that teach the importance of money management for children, such as The Squirrel Manifesto by Ric Edelman and Jean Edelman.
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The biog
Name: Marie Byrne
Nationality: Irish
Favourite film: The Shawshank Redemption
Book: Seagull by Jonathan Livingston
Life lesson: A person is not old until regret takes the place of their dreams
AS IT STANDS IN POOL A
1. Japan - Played 3, Won 3, Points 14
2. Ireland - Played 3, Won 2, Lost 1, Points 11
3. Scotland - Played 2, Won 1, Lost 1, Points 5
Remaining fixtures
Scotland v Russia – Wednesday, 11.15am
Ireland v Samoa – Saturday, 2.45pm
Japan v Scotland – Sunday, 2.45pm
The biog
Favourite book: Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
Favourite holiday destination: Spain
Favourite film: Bohemian Rhapsody
Favourite place to visit in the UAE: The beach or Satwa
Children: Stepdaughter Tyler 27, daughter Quito 22 and son Dali 19
The years Ramadan fell in May
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
RESULT
Bournemouth 0 Southampton 3 (Djenepo (37', Redmond 45' 1, 59')
Man of the match Nathan Redmond (Southampton)
