Novak Djokovic and Cristiano Ronaldo Send Social Media into Frenzy After Being Spotted Together in Riyadh

Novak Djokovic will be playing the first edition of an ATP 250 event in Athens in November.

Novak Djokovic and Cristiano Ronaldo Send Social Media into Frenzy After Being Spotted Together in Riyadh

Novak Djokovic, Cristiano Ronaldo (Image via X/TCR)

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The Six Kings Slam recently concluded in favor of Jannik Sinner, and he collected the $6 million prize money by sweeping past arch-rival Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets. En route to the win, Sinner clinched a straight-set win over Novak Djokovic in the semifinals.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion later retired mid-match against Taylor Fritz in the third-place match. While in Riyadh, Djokovic met Cristiano Ronaldo, the footballing legend who currently lives in Riyadh as he plays for Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr. Djokovic and Ronaldo also exchanged T-shirts, with the former giving the latter a signed ball and racket.

Djokovic made his second appearance at the Six Kings Slam following the first edition last year, where he lost to eventual winner Sinner in the semifinals but beat Rafael Nadal in the third-place match. Before Riyadh, the Serb was in Shanghai for the penultimate Masters of the season.

He reached the semifinals but failed to go past eventual champion Valentin Vacherot, losing the match in straight sets. Djokovic won’t be in action this week. He, in fact, won’t be playing another match this month as he will skip the Paris Masters.

The 38-year-old will next be seen in action in Athens for the first edition of the Hellenic Championship, scheduled to start on November 2. Djokovic has so far featured in two finals this season, winning the Geneva Open by beating Hubert Hurkacz and losing the Miami Open to Jakub Mensik.

Cristiano Ronaldo has inspired Novak Djokovic to play till 40

Novak Djokovic‘s conversation during the Joy Forum suggests that retirement is not at all on the back of his mind. What he wishes the most at present is his 25th Grand Slam title, and he will continue his hunt for the same next year after failing to win this year.

Novak Djokovic (via X/Olly Tennis)
Novak Djokovic (via X/Olly Tennis)

Longevity is one of my biggest motivations. I really want to see how far I can go. If you see across all the global sports, LeBron James he is still going strong; he is 40. Cristiano Ronaldo, Tom Brady played until he was 40-something years old; it is unbelievable.

Novak Djokovic said

This year, Djokovic played every semifinal of the four Grand Slam events but failed to go beyond that. An injury forced him to give the walkover to eventual runner-up Alexander Zverev at the Australian Open, while Jannik Sinner stopped him at the French Open and Wimbledon. Carlos Alcaraz ended his run at the US Open.

They are inspiring me. In the next couple of years, tennis is a sport that can be greatly transformed, and I want to be part of that change. I want to be playing when we rejuvenate our sport and set the new platform that is going to go on for decades to come.

Novak Djokovic added

The last Grand Slam title that Djokovic won was the 2023 US Open, and since then, he has only once reached a Major final (2024 Wimbledon, lost to Alcaraz). The last Big Title he won was the 2024 Paris Olympic gold medal.

Also read: Alexander Zverev Responds to Boris Becker’s Criticism of him Being “a Problem Child”