5 Issues To Know About Djokovic’s Dubai Challenger, Tomas Machac

Tomas Machac might hardly have been offered with a larger problem within the first spherical at this week’s Dubai Responsibility Free Tennis Championships. The Czech qualifier meets Novak Djokovic on the hard-court ATP 500 occasion, the place he’ll attempt to develop into the primary participant to defeat the Serbian within the 2023 ATP Tour season.

Forward of Machac’s conflict with the World No. 1, ATPTour.com runs down 5 issues to know concerning the 22-year-old.

His Sporting Idol Is Michael Jordan
Two years earlier than Machac was born in 2000, Michael Jordan performed his final sport as a member of the Chicago Bulls. That hasn’t stopped the Czech from rising into an enormous fan of each the Bulls and Jordan. 

“It’s loopy what this man did in his profession,” stated Machac of Jordan in an interview with ATPTour.com final yr. “His achievements, the moments he had had been unbelievable. I discovered [from watching him that] some days when you don’t really feel effectively or are sick or one thing goes unsuitable, you may nonetheless battle, you may nonetheless make your self comfy in that second and enhance one thing in your sport.”

His Sister’s Love Of Tennis Modified His Life
Maybe Machac would have been destined for a future in basketball had been it not for his older sister, Katerina. She fell in love with tennis as a teen and recurrently competed in tournaments from when Tomas was 4 years previous. That paved the way in which for his growth as a tennis expertise.

“I used to be travelling together with her and with my household and I used to be taking part in towards the wall each time,” stated Machac. “I used to be taking part in for instance six hours per day on the wall, as a result of I didn’t need to be bored watching the tennis, so I performed a number of tennis.”

He Is Good At Keepie Uppies… Even With out A Ball!
Machac’s wonderful hand-eye coordination has not simply helped the Czech attain a career-high No. 97 within the Pepperstone ATP Rankings. Through the COVID-19 pandemic, he posted a video on Instagram demonstrating some spectacular footwork with a roll of bathroom paper!

He Has Previous Expertise Dealing with A World No. 1
Machac’s Dubai assembly with Djokovic won’t be his first conflict with a World No. 1. In 2022, the Czech confronted Daniil Medvedev — who was then atop the Pepperstone ATP Rankings — on the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells.

Regardless of a straight-sets defeat to Medevedev on that event, Machac has recurrently showcased his skill to go toe-to-toe with a few of the finest on Tour. He defeated Richard Gasquet and Daniel Evans whereas representing the Czech Republic on the 2021 Davis Cup Finals, whereas he additionally pushed Casper Ruud to 4 units at this yr’s Australian Open.

He Can At all times Flip To His Girlfriend For On-Court docket Recommendation
Machac doesn’t should look far for tips about how he could make a larger mark on skilled tennis. His girlfriend is Czech WTA star Katerina Siniakova, who has a career-high singles rating of No. 31 and is three-time tour-level titlist. She can be the present World No. 1 in doubles, having gained 20 tour-level titles, together with seven Grand Slams.

“She’s a very good participant,” Machac informed ATPTour.com. “She’s had an unbelievable profession… So I’m studying quite a bit from her.”

Machac added: “She’s a fighter, and she or he by no means leaves any level within the sport. She performs each level.”