WATCH: Novak Djokovic and Andrey Rublev shoot hoops showing off their basketball skills

Novak Djokovic and Andrey Rublev showcased their basketball skills during the Cincinnati Open. 

WATCH: Novak Djokovic and Andrey Rublev shoot hoops showing off their basketball skills

Novak Djokovic and Andrey Rublev (Credit: Twitter)

Tennis legend Novak Djokovic and World No. 8 Andrey Rublev took to basketball during their time at the Cincinnati Open. Both players demonstrated their basketball prowess, providing a refreshing look at their off-court relationships.

While Djokovic maintained his excellent run, reaching the Cincinnati Open semis, Rublev’s trip ended in the early stages, as he exited the competition in the second round. Regardless of their on-court results, the two enjoyed a pleasant basketball session, demonstrating their various talents outside of tennis.

YouTube video

Djokovic documented the joyous occasion on social media, posting video recordings of their basketball exploits. The Serb displayed his abilities by hitting a three-pointer while holding a larger-than-usual basketball. Djokovic, expressing his lighthearted competitive spirit, issued a joking challenge to Andrei Kirilenko, president of the Russian Basketball Federation, inviting him to evaluate their performance.

FS Video

Djokovic and Rublev have played four times on the tennis court, with the former having a dominant 4-1 advantage in their head-to-head record. Notably, Rublev’s lone victory over the 36-year-old Serbian came at a critical juncture – the final of Djokovic’s home event, the Serbian Open, in 2022.

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Novak Djokovic advances to semifinals in Cincinnati with a dominant victory

Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic (Credit; Twitter/@Wimbledon)

Djokovic, the 23-time Grand Slam title champion, had a dominant 6-0, 6-4 victory over Taylor Fritz in Cincinnati. This victory not only moved Djokovic closer to his record-extending 39th ATP Masters 1000 championship, but it also qualified him for his 75th ATP 1000 semifinal.

The number two seed Djokovic got off to a fast start, winning the first set in just 21 minutes. Game two, four, and six breaks set the tone for his overwhelming performance. Although Taylor Fritz, the ninth seed, responded with an early break in the second set, Djokovic quickly leveled the score in game eight. In the tenth game, a crucial second break for the Serbian clinched his victory.

This victory followed Djokovic’s recent achievement of a 19-0 head-to-head record against Gael Monfils. He displayed his constant consistency and authority on the court by going 7-0 against Fritz.

Djokovic’s trip to Cincinnati has been marked by his consistency, as he has yet to drop a set. His sights are now focused on the semifinal match against Alexander Zverev, who advanced to the last eight with a 6-2, 6-3 victory against Adrian Mannarino.

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