SARAJEVO (Reuters) – Serbian scientists have named a newly known species of beetle after tennis champion Novak Djokovic, due to the insect’s speed, strength, agility and ability to survive in difficult environment, Serbian media reported on Friday.
The insect, which belongs to the Duvalius genus of beetles found in Europe, was discovered several years ago in an underground pit in western Serbia.
He was named Duvalius Dokovici, according to the Tanjug news agency quoting researcher Nikola Vesovic.
The researcher said the new species was an underground predatory beetle that, living deep underground, had lost its sight.
“I offered to name the new species after Djokovic,” he said. “He is a man who has done a lot for this country. We feel bound to thank him in return, in our own way.”
Last weekend Djokovic, 35, a winner of 21 Grand Slams, won the Tel Aviv Open, claiming his third title this season after winning a seventh trophy at Wimbledon in July.
(Report Daria Sito-Sucic; French version Dagmarah Mackos, edited by Sophie Louet)
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