Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic defeated Grigor Dimitrov 2:0 (6:2, 6:3) last night and advanced to the final of the Masters in Miami, where he will have the opportunity to win the 100th title of his career.
And after the match, Djokovic hung out with Argentine football player Lionel Messi, who was watching the semi-final match from the stands.
Djokovic and Messi exchanged jerseys in the locker room - Novak received Messi's Inter Miami number 10, while the Argentine received a Djokovic T-shirt with a dedication as a gift.
"It was an honor to meet the greatness of Lionel Messi, as well as his entire family. Thanks Leo, see you soon," Djokovic wrote on the X platform.
Djokovic spoke about meeting Messi.
"I've watched Messi live a few times too. I think it was once at the World Cup, when he triumphed with Argentina. And once last year, I think it was a duel between Los Angeles and his Inter from Miami. It's great that I met his family too. He came to the locker room after the match, we talked for a while and exchanged gifts. It's a great honor, he's a great athlete, not just a football player. His impact on the world of sports over the past 20 years has been incredible. The fact that he was watching me made me very happy and excited, but I was also a little under pressure, I have to admit that," said Djokovic.
Djokovic was particularly impressed by Messi's sons.
"One of his sons rated my game an eight, which is pretty good. He told me with a serious face that I have to play for a ten in the next match, so I have serious pressure from Messi's son. We joked a little. It was a touching moment for me, it's one thing when he comes alone, and another when he's here with his family. As a father, I know what it means, it's different when the family is here. I was touched by his desire to spend some time together, I really appreciate what he did. It was a wonderful moment for me, but also for the entire tournament and tennis in general, that he was there," Djokovic added.
Djokovic will play Jakub Menšík in the Miami final, who eliminated Taylor Fritz in the semifinals.
The final is on Sunday at 20:XNUMX.
Bonus video:
