Nikola Kalinic uncertain whether he will play for Serbia in World Cup / News - Basketnews.com

Nikola Kalinic revealed that it's becoming harder and harder for him to play for the national team each year due to an increase of pain in knees, Achilles, and his back.

Credit: FIBA Credit FIBA

After spending a year in Serbia with Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade, Nikola Kalinic is now playing in Spain for FC Barcelona. Looking into the future, the forward is not sure how this upcoming summer will transpire.

Nikola Kalinic

Team:FC BarcelonaPosition:SFAge:31Height:202 cmWeight:101 kgBirth place:Subotica, SerbiaProfileNewsStatistics

In an interview with Sasa Ozmo from SportKlub Srbija, Kalinic couldn't say whether he will play for the Serbian national team in the 2023 FIBA World Cup or not.

"Oh, I don't know, to tell you the truth," Kalinic said. "We'll see what happens in the summer. Honestly, it gets harder and harder for me every season, I feel more and more pain in my knees, Achilles tendons, and back. We'll see, I'll talk with the head coach and my family, with everyone, and we'll find the best decision."

Kalinic is 31 years old with his 32nd birthday coming later this year. The forward's been playing in the EuroLeague for 9 years already. Looking into what changed throughout the years, the Serbian player wished he knew earlier what he knows now.

"Changing your lifestyle, paying more and more attention to nutrition, recovery, sleep. That comes with age, and it's natural that you are much more responsible," the player named the things that have changed.

"If I had lived like this at the age of 20, who knows what I could have done. It's the story of 'I wish I had this brain when I was younger'," he continued. "Regular sleep, better nutrition, it all helps. Nevertheless, you now barely manage to recover for the game in three days, and earlier you could have played another one the same night."

As recently announced, the Serbian national team will compete in the Acropolis Tournament on August 8-10 where the squad will play two matches against Italy and Greece.

The World Cup draw ceremony is scheduled for April 29th.

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