Serbian scientists announced the discovery of a new species of insect and decided to name it Novak Djokovic in honor of the tennis champion due to the fact that the small animal has speed and endurance.
The Duvalius Djokovic beetle was found inside a cave located in the mountains in western Serbia, Nikola Vezovic, one of the team that made the discovery, told AFP.
A professor at the Faculty of Biological Sciences in Belgrade said: “The organism discovered is a small, completely blind insect that lacks the substance that gives the skin its color, while it has long legs and very long antennae.”
The researchers decided to name the insect after the Serbian champion who won 21 major tennis titles because of its inherent characteristics of speed, stamina, strength and flexibility.
“An insect is a predator that lives underground, while Novak is a predator on tennis courts,” Vezovich said.
This is not the first time Novak Djokovic has inspired scientists.
Last year, a freshwater snail was discovered in Montenegro, which was named Travuniana Djokovici.
