Novak Djokovic Pays Tribute to Lionel Messi, LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Rory McIlroy for ‘Setting the Bar Higher’

Novak Djokovic has immense admiration for the legends of other sporting fields. Lionel Messi, LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Rory McIlroy have received glowing praise from the 24-time Grand Slam champion for continuing to achieve spectacular milestones while defying age.

The former World No.1 himself falls into the category of legends who are continuing to set a high bar. At the age of 39, he is producing extraordinary performances and making things tough for the youngsters.

At present, Wimbledon is underway and Djokovic, following his four-set win over Wu Yibing and an easy win over Stefanos Tsitsipas, overcame 25th seed Arthur Rinderknech 7-5, 6-4, 1-6, 7-6(4). Later at the press conference, Djokovic was asked what it meant to him to watch other sportsmen continue to achieve great results.

I love watching greatness in the making. And the evolution of the greatness, like Messi and LeBron James. These guys that are still playing, Curry, Rory, as you mentioned. It’s amazing to see. I feel like we’re all setting the bar higher and moving the needle of what people thought was possible in terms of level of competition and level of performance at a late age.

The Serb is chasing the historic 25th Grand Slam title at SW19. At the French Open this year, although Joao Fonseca ended his run in the third round, he downed two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner in the semifinal of the Australian Open but lost the final to Carlos Alcaraz.

I’m always a big fan of witnessing history. You know, Messi was born the same year as I was born, 87. Who else was born that year? Somebody in Formula 1. It’s a good year to be born. Of course, I admire them, respect them, and follow them. I’m following World Cup, NBA, Formula 1, golf. I love sport. Sport is a beautiful area of life that we all admire, regardless of the fact that I’m an active athlete myself.

Novak Djokovic added

The seventh seed will next be playing Roman Safiullin in the fourth round. Nole holds a 3-0 head-to-head lead over the 28-year-old.

Novak Djokovic on Arthur Rinderknech’s performance

Novak Djokovic met Arthur Rinderknech for the first time in his career in singles. After finishing the match in four sets, Djokovic admitted that he had expected tough competition from the Frenchman, who has so far defeated two top 10 players (Ben Shelton once and Alexander Zverev twice).

I was watching him play. I knew he was in good form. That made me a little tenser during the match. He played well. I think he did everything to push me out of my comfort zone. It was a tough match. But I feel very relieved to have overcome it in four sets.

Novak Djokovic said at the press conference

Djokovic, a seven-time champion in the grass-court Major, last lifted the title in 2022 by defeating Nick Kyrgios. He was denied the Calendar Grand Slam by Carlos Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final the following year. It was Alcaraz again who dashed his 25th Major hopes by clinching a straight-set win in the 2024 Wimbledon final.

Last year in the tournament, eventual champion Jannik Sinner eliminated him in the semifinals. Djokovic will only meet the four-time Grand Slam champion in the current tournament if they both reach the semifinals.

He did not play a warm-up tournament before starting his campaign at Wimbledon. If he reaches the quarterfinals, he will face Alejandro Davidovich Fokina or Felix Auger-Aliassime. Djokovic last won a title in Athens last year by defeating Lorenzo Musetti.

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