Arnaldi has previously opened up on how the Serbian superstar is his idol and he did get the chance to train with the 24-time Major winner ahead of last year’s Italian Open. “Novak has always been my idol and that’s why I entered the field a bit tense,” Arnaldi explained. “It was an incredible feeling to be able to trade with the No 1 in the world.
“Technically I found him extremely clean compared to the others I have played with up to now. His ball is very flat and you have a hard time playing with it, even on clay. It takes away your time, you can’t do anything you have in mind.”
Arnaldi even branded himself as “little Djokovic” in an interview with Italian newspaper II Mesaggero over his perceived likeness with the Serb. “Given the due proportions, there are some similarities: I too would define myself as a counter-attacker and I have always done the splits,” he said when asked why he had given himself the nickname.
