Novak Djokovic recalls times when he went to watch Jose Mourinho’s matches, calls him one of the ‘greatest football coaches’
Djokovic was very happy after meeting with Jose again in Rome
Follow Us
José Mourinho visits Novak Djokovic at the Rome Masters. (credit: Twitter)
Currently the manager of the Italian Serie A club Roma, Mourinho one of the greatest football managers of all time, is no stranger to tennis. Mourinho was frequently spotted at the Queen’s Club, and the ATP World Tour Finals when they were held in London, but the Foro Italico is now his home venue after he took over Roma two years ago.
Four years ago, Andy Murray famously revealed that Mourinho consoled him with a big hug’ after he lost 6-0, 6-1 to Roger Federer at the World Tour Finals in 2014, but on Friday night, Mourinho got to see another member of the ‘Big 4’ thrive: Djokovic rallied from an early breakdown, a 3-0 tiebreak deficit, in his 7-6(5), 6-2 win.
In his post-match press conference, Djokovic expanded on his relationship with Mourinho, who earned his nickname from British media during his tenure managing Chelsea, Manchester United, and Tottenham Hotspur. He also managed Inter Milan and Real Madrid before landing in Rome last year.
“I met him more than a few times in the past. He was coming to watch me play in London, especially in the World Tour Finals,” Djokovic said. “We had a tournament there for many years. He was coaching in London. He was coming to watch. He’s an avid tennis fan, of course, one of the greatest football coaches that we have not just today but in history. I’m honored that he’s coming to watch my matches. I appreciate that. Very, very nice person. Always was very kind to me and my team.”
He also added, “Hopefully I can return the favor and go watch his team when he’s coaching because I don’t think I’ve ever done that. Maybe Real Madrid, when he was in Madrid, I went to watch a couple of times. Yeah, just the ‘Special One,’ as they call him, came to see me, so I’m very happy.”
Novak Djokovic felt honored to see Jose Mourinho in attendance
Novak Djokovic stated that he was honored to see Portuguese football manager Jose Mourinho in attendance at the Foro Italico Sports Complex. Novak Djokovic said, “He’s an avid tennis fan, of course, one of the greatest football coaches that we have not just today but in history. I’m honored that he’s coming to watch my matches. I appreciate that,” he said during the post-match presser.“
The 22-time Grand Slam champion also opened up about returning the favor in the future by watching Mourinho’s current team, “Yeah, hopefully I can return the favor and go watch his team when he’s coaching because I don’t think I’ve ever done that. Maybe Real Madrid, when he was in Madrid I went to watch couple times.”
Novak Djokovic shared that he has met Jose Mourinho on several occasions in the past, “I met him more than few times in the past. He was coming to watch me play in London, especially in the World Tour Finals. We had a tournament there for many years. He was coaching in London.”
In case you have missed:
Everton boss Sean Dyche ready to ‘fancy his chances’ against Manchester City’s Erling Haaland
Jose Mourinho dismisses all rumors linking him to PSG, says they are yet to approach him
Stay Updated!
Arpan Ghosh
(1403 Articles Published)