'I was watching the Giro and admiring these guys' - Novak Djokovic wants to pick the brains of elite cyclists

Updated 28/05/2022 at 15:31 GMT

Novak Djokovic has his own major event to focus on, with the world No. 1 bidding to defend the French Open title. But there is life outside his own bubble, and he was seen watching the Giro d'Italia on Eurosport and he is hugely impressed by the cyclists. Stream the 2022 French Open live and on-demand on discovery+.

‘I was admiring…’ – Djokovic on why he watches Giro on Eurosport

Novak Djokovic has spoken of his admiration for elite-level cyclists, after admitting to watching the Giro d’Italia on Eurosport.

While doing his final warm-up for his third-round clash with Aljaz Bedene at the French Open, the No. 1 seed was keeping a firm eye on the Giro d’Italia.

When it came to the day job, Djokovic was fully focused on his task as he dismissed the challenge of Bedene 6-3 6-3 6-2 to set up a clash with Diego Schwartzman.

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Djokovic and Schwartzman are likely to be battling in Paris when the Giro podium positions will be settled in the final time-trial on Sunday.

The world No. 1 is likely to catch the highlights, and down the line he has said he would like to pick the brains of the best cyclists - likely in a bid to pick up marginal gains.

“I was watching the Giro and admiring these guys,” Djokovic told Eurosport. “They're tremendous athletes.

“You know, so many races that go over 200 kilometres each race, uphill toughest possible kind of races.

“I don't know how they recovered, to be honest, you know, it's would be very interesting.

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“I never got a chance really, to speak with high class or champion cyclist. So hopefully one day I get a chance because I'm very interested because I heard different stories that they have to wake up at night and cycle because of the blood flow, and they can't afford to sleep throughout the entire night.

“I don't know if this is this is true or not, but it seems a little bit, a little bit extreme.”

Djokovic will tune in to the highlights of the final stage with Jai Hindley protecting the race lead after taking the Maglia Rosa from Richard Carapaz on Stage 20.

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Stream the 2022 French Open live and on-demand on discovery+.

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