“He serves as a great example,” Novak Djokovic eulogizes Lionel Messi for his humbleness despite his unparalleled success
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Lionel Messi and Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic is not only one of the greatest tennis players but also an exemplary athlete. The 21-time Grand Slam winner broke the dominance of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in the early 2010s. He further went on to assert his own dominance during the decade. From 2010 to 2020, Djokovic won a total of 16 Grand Slam titles.
Djokovic was recently in attendance at the finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. He witnessed Lionel Messi-led Argentina win the World Cup in an astonishing manner over Kylian Mbappe and the other Frenchmen. The 2022 World Cup finals has already been dubbed the greatest World Cup final for its nail-biting ending.
Speaking at the World Tennis League in Dubai, Djokovic heaped praise on Messi for the World Cup win. “I was really fortunate to be there present. By many people, it’s the best World Cup final ever. What an outstanding finish, the way they won it, the way they were welcomed at home. As a sports fan, and as a football fan, of course, I admire Messi and respect him a lot. I think most of the world is happy with his achievement and what he has managed to do.
“Him being humble, a down-to-earth guy, not taken away by success. All these years is something I feel like serves as a great example to all the children that look up to him, they want to be like him,” said Djokovic.
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Novak Djokovic hopes he can inspire kids like Lionel Messi
For Argentines and fans of Messi, it was a rather special moment as the 7-time Ballon d’Or winner finally won the biggest international prize in the sport. Having won all possible trophies at the international and club level, Messi is now believed to have engraved his name as the Greatest of All Time. For some sections of fans, the debate isn’t yet settled. Djokovic was however happy to see Messi win the World Cup and hoped that similar to Messi, he can inspire the next generation.
“I want to believe that people, especially children and young people, identify themselves with me. I try to have that always, as awareness in everything I do, wherever I go, whatever I say. We as athletes have a huge privilege to have the platform and have that voice. Sport is followed by billions of people around the world.
“Sport speaks the universal language, it crashes all the borders, I guess. Hopefully, many kids will grab a tennis racquet because of watching me or other tennis players,” added Djokovic further concluding a highly optimistic and positive interaction.
Djokovic had to pull out of the match against Nick Kyrgios at the last moment as he wasn’t completely fit. With the 2023 season hardly a week away, it was a wise decision to not force his body for an exhibition match and stay fresh and fit for the upcoming season. Djokovic will be looking to match and eclipse Rafael Nadal next season. Nadal currently holds the record for most majors on the ATP Tour with 22 titles leading the Serb by a solitary title.
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Sarthak Shitole
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