Novak Djokovic has claimed 21 Grand Slams and the Davis Cup with his Serbian teammates.
Having just won the Tel Aviv Open and after progressing to the semi-finals in Astana after a straight sets win over Karen Khachanov, he learned that Serbian entomologists have bestowed an honour upon him.
They announced that a recently discovered beetle would be named after him, in a concocted Latin term Duvalius Dokovici.
“He is a man who has done so much for his country. We feel obliged to pay him back in some way.”
The beetle was discovered in the western region of Serbia.
Since the Duvalius Dokovici lives deep underground, it has no need for sight and has evolved to be eyeless. It is a resilient predator which has managed to survive in a tough environment.
Although Djokovic is the first tennis player to have a beetle after him, several other celebrities have a species named after them.
Djokovic is in the company of Kate Winslow (Agra katewinsletae); Liv Tyler (Agra Liv), Robert Redford (Hydroscapha refordi), Arnold Schwarzenegger (Agra schwarzeneggeri).
Title photo from the Tel Aviv Watergen Open
UPDATE – 9 October 2022
Novak Djokovic clocked up his 90th ATP win at the Astana Open.
After winning his semi-final against Daniil Medvedev 4-6 7-6(8) when Medvedev retired due to an adductor tear, he beat Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3 6-4 for the title.
In the final he won 87% of points on his first serve and 80% on his second.
