Novak Djokovic Saving Turtles

Written by: Staff on 24th February 2013

Novak Djokovic Saving Turtles

epa03564327 Novak Djokovic of Serbia returns the ball to Olivier Rochus of Belgium during their Davis Cup World Group First Round match between Belgium and Serbia, in Charleroi, Belgium, 01 February 2013. EPA/JULIEN WARNAND |

(Original Story: http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2013/02/9/Dubai-Sunday-Djokovic-To-The-Rescue.aspx)

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic now has a vested interest in the Dubai Turtle Rehabilitation Project at the Burj Al Arab, after he named one of the turtles in the project on Friday. Novak is in town ahead of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships this week, aiming to recapture the title he held from 2009-2011.

Novak was first introduced to two young critically endangered hawksbill sea turtles that are under primary rehabilitation at the Burj al Arab facility, which is run in collaboration with Dubai’s Wildlife Protection Office. He then met a larger turtle that had completed its primary rehabilitation which he named Leonardo, which was Novak’s favourite mutant ninja turtle character as a young boy.

Novak then helped transport the 30 kilo turtle to the rehabilitation pen at Mina A’Salam, and was invited to return to tag Leonardo when he is ready for release in May. The project has been in operation since 2004 and has helped to secure the release of more than 550 rescued sea turtles. Once Leonardo is tagged and released, Novak will be able to track him on seaturtle.org.

Play in the Championships commences on Monday 25 February, and features a stellar line-up that, along with Djokovic, includes defending champion and five time Dubai winner Roger Federer, flamboyant Frenchman Jo-Wilfriend Tsonga, Davis Cup winner Tomas Berdych and 2009 US Open winner Juan Martin Del Potro.

The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, which continues until 2nd March, is owned and organised by Dubai Duty Free and held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

Topics: Dubai tennis news, Dubai Turtle Rehabilitation Project at the Burj Al Arab, Jo-Wilfriend Tsonga, Juan Martin Del Potro, NovakDjokovic, Sports, Tomas Berdych