Fans have gone wild over a touching second throughout Novak Djokovic’s spectacular US Open victory the place he paid tribute to late pal and professional basketball participant, Kobe Bryant.
Djokovic claimed a twenty fourth Grand Slam title after defeating Daniil Medvedev in straight units on Monday, drawing stage with Margaret Court on the all-time checklist.
Returning to the court docket following his win, the Serbian had donned a blue T-shirt emblazoned with a photograph of him and Bryant smiling collectively and the phrases, “Mamba Forever”.
On the again of the shirt was the quantity 24 – Bryant’s jersey quantity and the variety of Grand Slams now received by the Serb.
Djokovic mentioned he knew he needed to pay particular tribute to Bryant if he received the match.
“I thought of doing this T-shirt eventually if I get the chance to win the tournament. It was about seven days ago,” he mentioned throughout his trophy speech.
“Kobe was a close friend. We chatted a lot about the winner’s mentality when I was struggling with the injury and working my way back to the top of the game.
“He was one of the people that I relied on the most, he was always there for any kind of advice and support in the most friendly way. What happened a few years ago hurt me deeply. So I thought it could be a nice symbolic thing to acknowledge him.”
Fans at Arthur Ashe Stadium erupted when Djokovic uncovered the shirt and continued its applause when he turned to indicate the quantity on the again.
The gesture attracted an infinite response on-line too, the place followers praised him for his “thoughtful” transfer.
“Winning #24 and honouring the greatest #24. Congrats to Novak Djokovic you are the GOAT [greatest of all time],” one particular person wrote to X, previously Twitter.
“This moment will be remembered as one of the most beautiful moments in sporting history.
Mamba 4 life. Novak Djokovic, thank you,” one other mentioned.
Djokovic’s win made him the oldest US Open champion of the Open period since Ken Rosewall again in 1970 and secured him his fourth US Open crown.
He was proven celebrating along with his youngsters Stefan and Tara earlier than revelling within the second along with his group.
Medvedev was gracious in defeat and heaped reward on the dominance of his opponent.
“First of all I want to ask Novak, what are you still doing here? C’mon. … I feel like I have not a bad career and I have 20 titles. You have 24 Grand Slams. Wow,” he mentioned.
Unfortunately for the Russian the ultimate fell on the date of his anniversary along with his spouse and after delivering the right anniversary current two years in the past, right now it wasn’t to be.
“Sh*t gift today,” he mentioned.
Djokovic in the midst of his speech returned the reward to Medvedev and congratulated him and his companion on their anniversary.
“Please don’t take this the wrong way: Happy anniversary to your wife,” Djoker mentioned.
The Serbian mentioned the win meant the world to him and thanked his mother and father for sacrificing a lot in his youthful years to assist him chase his desires.
“It means the world to me. I’m really living my childhood dream,” Djokovic mentioned.
“To compete at the highest level in the sport that has given me and my family so much coming from very difficult circumstances and adversities during the 90s, a couple of wars in our country and being able to push that through.
“Especially for my parents, giving a lot of sacrifice to support me and play this very expensive sport at the time, not affordable.
“I fell in love with tennis, it was quite a choice, but incredible resilience, believe from my parents and all the people around me all these years, everyone. This is your trophy as much as is mine. I love you.”
– with James McKern
Source: www.news.com.au
