Alexander Zverev Appeals to Fans to Refrain from Booing After Novak Djokovic’s Retirement
NOVAK DJOKOVIC is set to further solidify his claim as the greatest of all time in tennis – especially after receiving a friendly nudge from the son of a football legend. The 37-year-old Serbian superstar aims to capture his 100th ATP Tour title when he faces the unseeded and relatively inexperienced Czech teenager, Jakub Menšík, in the Miami Open final.
Djokovic, a tennis icon, is on the brink of achieving a remarkable milestone in Florida. Only Roger Federer (103) and Jimmy Connors (109) have reached the prestigious landmark of 100 tournament victories in the Open Era. His commanding performance, which saw him defeat Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov with a decisive score of 6-2, 6-3 in the semi-finals, caught the attention of Argentine football sensation Lionel Messi, widely regarded as one of the best footballers in history.
Argentina’s World Cup-winning captain, also 37, had a chance to meet Djokovic backstage along with retired tennis star Juan Martin del Potro. The trio exchanged jerseys and posed for memorable photographs together. One of Messi’s sons humorously suggested to Djokovic that he needs to elevate his game as he strives to surpass Federer as the oldest Masters champion ever.
Djokovic, buoyed by a favorable draw in Florida, expressed his excitement: “It was the first time I’ve played in front of him. I’ve watched him play a few times, including the final of the 2022 World Cup when he triumphed with Argentina. I think I also saw him last year. Obviously, I’m thrilled to have his whole family here. After the match, I saw him in the locker room. We spent some quality time together and exchanged gifts.”
He continued, “It’s a huge honor to have him here. He’s such an exceptional athlete, not just a football player. His impact on the world of sports over the last two decades has been immense. Having him watch me live brings me great joy and excitement, but also a bit of pressure.”
In a light-hearted moment, Djokovic shared, “One of his sons rated my performance an eight out of ten, which I consider pretty good. With a serious face, he told me I have to make it a perfect ten for the next match. So there’s quite a bit of pressure from Messi’s son!”
Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, is eager to clinch his first title since winning the Olympic singles gold last year in Paris. This would also mark his first significant achievement with Andy Murray in his corner. He reflected, “Ever since I won my 99th title at the Olympic Games in Paris, I’ve been focused on achieving that special 100th title. I reached the final in Shanghai and was close there, and I made it to the semi-finals of the Australian Open.”
He added, “I’ve been working hard to rediscover the level of tennis needed to compete for a big trophy. This week, I’ve been very satisfied with my preparation for the tournament and my overall performance. I haven’t dropped a set, which is encouraging. It’s a fantastic opportunity. Let’s see what unfolds.”
