In a recent revelation, Novak Djokovic opened up about a memorable meeting with football superstar Lionel Messi, sharing a lighthearted exchange that highlighted both athletes’ mutual respect and competitiveness.
The Serbian tennis legend recounted how Messi, fresh from his move to Inter Miami from Paris Saint-Germain, approached him with an unexpected request – advice on improving his tennis game.
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Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion and Olympic gold medalist, didn’t hesitate to jokingly shut down the football icon.
“I met Messi at a restaurant in the United States,” Djokovic recalled. “He asked me for advice about tennis. I told him: ‘Please, Messi, don’t ask me that. I won’t give you any information. You dominate football, and now you want to dominate tennis? No, no, play football. When I retire, then you can play tennis.'”
The humorous exchange shows just how competitive both athletes are in their respective sports. Messi responded with a chuckle, acknowledging the advantage of football being a game played with the feet rather than the hands.
Djokovic, however, admitted that he felt fortunate Messi never chose tennis as his sport, joking that the tennis circuit would have been virtually impossible to conquer otherwise.
Djokovic reflects on Messi’s sporting prowess
The encounter also offered Djokovic a chance to reflect on Messi‘s extraordinary football career. Widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the sport’s history, Messi has amassed a remarkable collection of league titles, European trophies, and the ultimate prize: leading Argentina to World Cup glory in 2022.
Despite having achieved nearly everything possible in football, Messi‘s curiosity about other sports shows his competitive spirit and willingness to challenge himself in new arenas.
Djokovic, who has maintained dominance on the tennis court for over two decades, emphasized the mutual admiration between the two athletes.
“He’s the best football player of all time. I love watching him,” Djokovic said, highlighting the respect top-tier athletes often have for one another, even across different disciplines.
The story not only highlights the lighter side of two elite sports icons but also offers a glimpse into the camaraderie shared between the two. Djokovic is preparing for the Australian Open in the coming days, where he will face Pedro Martinez in the first round, aiming to add to his storied career.
Meanwhile, Messi continues to excel in football, showing that mastery in one sport doesn’t easily translate into another, even for someone of his extraordinary talent.
While tennis and football require vastly different skill sets, the mutual admiration between these two legends proves that excellence, dedication, and respect know no boundaries in the world of sports.
