Although he is not a Buddhist, defending tennis champion Novak Djokovic has been visiting Buddhapadipa Temple in leafy Wimbledon between matches and training sessions to recharge. The Serbian top seed and world number one is currently at the championships (which are taking place from 29 June to 12 July) and, since 2013, has been going to the temple to relax and meditate whenever in Wimbledon.
Novak Djokovic. From fansshare.com
Built in 1965, Buddhapadipa Temple was the first Thai Buddhist temple in Britain. Originally established on Christchurch Road in Richmond, it relocated to its current address on Calonne Road, Wimbledon Parkside, in 1976, and is 10 minutes from the All England Club.
“Meditation will help you if you are playing tennis, just as it will help you if you are playing other sports or if you [are] working in an office,” resident monk Phramaha Bhatsakorn Piyobhaso told sports network ESPN. “Meditation helps you to keep focused and to train your mind. With proper training, you can improve your concentration and that will keep you focused on what you are doing.”
“I think meditation helps him [Djokovic] to develop concentration: to keep focused, especially when playing tennis,” he added. “Just focusing on the now: that’s the benefit of meditation.”
Phramaha Bhatsakorn Piyobhaso called the athlete “an easygoing guy.” ESPN quoted him as saying: “The first time he came, there was no need for him to introduce himself to the monks. We knew who he was. Novak walked in, said hello and then went to meditate on his own. We have known him for a while now.”
Although he and the monastic residents and lay staff at the temple have grown familiar with the star sportsman, they say that they do their best not to disturb him given his busy schedule. “Sometimes he asks our staff to open the main temple for him, so he can get inside and sit still for a while there,” he continued. “I think he’s learned how to meditate on his own. He walks around the temple and spends one or two hours alone. He just comes to the temple to enjoy nature, the peace and the beautiful environment. ”
Seven resident monks at Buddhapadipa Temple teach meditation every Tuesday and Thursday evening and weekend. But Djokovic prefers meditating by himself, usually on weekday mornings. “I try to put myself only in the present moment, not fight against the thoughts and the pressure and the excitement, but just acknowledge them and be aware of present thoughts but also try to keep my composure and calm,” The Independent quoted the defending champion as saying. “I try to just be in the moment and enjoy.” Djokovic is widely regarded as one of tennis’s most mentally resilient players.
Buddhapadipa Temple. From geograph.co.uk
Although Buddhapadipa Temple does not to have a television (so that residents do not watch anything that arouses the mind and inspires lust or greed), Phramaha Bhatsakorn Piyobhaso told ESPN that he and his fellow monks plan to follow their celebrity guest’s matches on the Internet. Djokovic will face Frenchman Richard Gasquet in the semi-finals later today.