Novak Djokovic opens up about 'special relationship' with Melbourne tree

World tennis number one Novak Djokovic has revealed his “special relationship” with a tree in Melbourne’s botanical gardens, however, he kept his fans curious by keeping its exact identity secret.

The 36-year-old athlete, speaking after beating Australia's Alexei Popyrin in four sets in the Rod Laver Arena on Wednesday night, revealed he'd been visiting a specific tree in Melbourne, which helps him meditate and ground himself during the Australian Open.

“There's one particular tree that I've been having [a] special relationship with, so to say, in the last 15 years,” Djokovic told a journalist after being spotted returning to one specific tree at Melbourne's botanical gardens.

"I got connected with that tree. I just liked it. I liked its roots and the trunks and branches and everything. So I started climbing it years ago. That's it. I just have a connection,” Sky News quoted the tennis star.

"I love every corner of [the] botanical gardens. I think it's [an] incredible treasure for Melbourne to have such a park and nature in the middle of the city."

However, he kept his fans curious about the exact identity of the tree, saying: “I cannot reveal which one, I'll try to keep it discreet for myself when I'm there to have my own time.”

In 2018, Djokovic also shared his pictures around trees on social media, including one where he was barefoot standing in a tree in London.