Novak Djokovic with Father Sipovac at Greensborough's Serbian Orthodox Church of St Sava. Picture: SUPPLIED
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YOU'D forgive the world's best male tennis player for wanting to sit back and relax when arriving in Melbourne ahead of the Australian Open.
Instead, Novak Djokovic took to Google to find out the location of Serbian Orthodox churches in Melbourne so he could attend a service on the day of Orthodox Christmas, which was on January 7.
Djokovic's search led him to Greensborough's Serbian Orthodox Church of St Sava just after 12am on January 7, where the parish priest, Father Sipovac, was turning off the lights and leaving for home after preparing the church for services to be held later that day.
Father Sipovac was startled to see the church doors being rattled and went to investigate.
On opening the doors, he found Djokovic outside with his entourage, asking if a midnight service will be held.
As with most Serbian Orthodox churches in Australia, midnight services are held only at Easter, but Father Sipovac invited the tennis champ inside while he headed home to change into his priestly robes.
On his return, Father Sipovac conducted a thanksgiving prayer for Christmas with Djokovic and his team, before they headed back to their hotel.
Father Sipovac hoped the prayer will be a good omen for Djokovic.
"The Serbian community are honoured that their champ came to their regular place of worship, and will be with Novak in spirit, and supporting him at Melbourne Park, as he attempts to take out another Australian Open title,'' he said.
Courtesy: whittlesea-leader
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