(Video) Lionel Messi imitates Novak Djokovic’s forehand technique during Inter Miami game

Lionel Messi watched Novak Djokovic book a spot in the Miami Open final after a comprehensive victory over Grigor Dimitrov.

(Video) Lionel Messi imitates Novak Djokovic’s forehand technique during Inter Miami game

Lionel Messi celebrated his goal by mimicking Novak Djokovic's forehand (Image via X/Actu Foot, Tiempo De Tenis)

One legend watched another legend from the stands. It was Lionel Messi, the captain of the Major League Soccer (MLS) team Inter Miami, who was in the stands of Hard Rock Stadium on Friday (March 28), watching Novak Djokovic beat Grigor Dimitrov and inch closer to his 100th ATP title.

Age is just a number for Djokovic and Messi, both of who are 37 years old. Messi, who won the 2022 World Cup with Argentina and claimed four Champions League titles with Barcelona, walked in as a substitute in the 55th minute in the MLS match against Philadelphia Union on Saturday (March 29).

Miami had a 1-0 lead and Messi, after receiving a ball from Luis Suarez, convincingly sent it past goalkeeper Andre Blake, helping Miami take a 2-0 lead. Messi then imitated Djokovic’s tennis forehand shot to celebrate his goal.

Watch the video here:

Messi for the first time, had watched Nole play tennis live. The Serb, after convincingly winning the semifinal against Dimitrov 6-2, 6-3 in 70 minutes, said Messi had visited him in the locker room along with his wife and children.

Amazing to have him. It is a great honor to play, probably for the first time, in front of him live. I am really grateful he was here with his son and the family. I admired him of course as most of the world for most of his career and it is amazing he still keeps going. We are actually the same age, born in 1987, so it is nice to have him around.

Novak Djokovic said during his on-court interview

Djokovic, who hasn’t yet dropped a set in the tournament, improved his head-to-head record over the Bulgarian to 13-1. Dimitrov was the finalist in the tournament last year, losing it to World No.1 Jannik Sinner.

Novak Djokovic to meet Jakub Mensik in Miami Open final

Novak Djokovic lifted his first Miami Open at the age of 19. Now another 19-year-old is chasing history in the tournament.

Novak Djokovic (8)
Novak Djokovic (Image via X/Wolfy)

Jakub Mensik, the teenager from the Czech Republic, became the first player from his country in 10 years to progress to the Miami Open final after eking out a victory against 2024 US Open finalist Taylor Fritz. He will lock horns against a player who inspired him to play tennis. Mensik will meet his idol on Sunday (March 30).

It feels incredible. For me, it was a dream to play against him in Shanghai. For now, it’s a bit different. I am a better player now and I’m going to enjoy it and it’s going to be really exciting. Let’s see what’s going to happen [on] Sunday.

Jakub Mensik said during his on-court interview

Mensik met Djokovic in the quarterfinal of the 2024 Shanghai Masters where the 24-time Grand Slam champion had to toil hard to move into the semifinals. The World No.54 is searching for his first title on the ATP tour. The winner of 99 ATP titles, on the other hand, has made it to the final of an official tournament for the first time since the Shanghai Masters.

Novak Djokovic reaches record-extending 60th ATP Masters 1000 final

Novak Djokovic is chasing his first official title since his 2024 Paris Olympics victory. He’s also into his record-extending 60th final in the ATP Masters 1000 events.

Novak Djokovic (3)
Novak Djokovic (Image via X, The Tennis Letter)

Djokovic, who is chasing his 40th Masters 1000 win, has also become the oldest finalist in the history of the Miami Open. He is chasing his first title in Florida since his victory in 2016. If he lifts the title, the six-time Miami Open champion will break the tie with Andre Agassi for most wins in the tournament.