Serbian scientists have announced that they have discovered a new species of insect, which they have named Novak Djokovic in honor of the tennis champion, due to the little beast’s speed and tenacity.
Duvalius Djokovici was found in a cave in a mountain in western Serbia, Nikola Vesovic, one of the team members, told AFP on Friday.
“It’s a very small insect, completely blind and depigmented, with very long legs and antennae,” said the scientist, a professor at the Faculty of Biology in Belgrade.
But it’s the animal’s speed, tenacity, strength and resilience that led researchers to give it the name of Serbian champion, former world number one with 21 Grand Slam titles.
“He’s a predator in the basement, just like Novak is a kind of predator on the tennis court,” Professor Vesovic said.
It’s not the first time Novak Djokovic has inspired scientists.
Last year, a freshwater snail discovered in Montenegro was named Travunijana Djokovici.
The tennis star is currently competing in the 500 Series tournament in Astana after being banned from January’s Australian Open and US tournaments, including the US Open, for refusing to receive a COVID-19 shot.