Novak Djokovic was honored to have another sporting legend in the stands as Lionel Messi witnessed his remarkable display at the Miami Open. In a match that lasted just 69 minutes, the Serbian maestro cruised to a dominant 6-2, 6-3 victory over Grigor Dimitrov, booking his place in the final, where a win would mark his 100th career title and add yet another impressive achievement to his enduring career.
While Djokovic’s clinical performance on the court took center stage, the presence of Messi, one of the greatest footballers in history, certainly caught the eye off the court. The Inter Miami star was spotted cheering Djokovic on from the stands, a moment that added even more significance to an already thrilling match. After the victory, Messi posed for a photo with Djokovic and Argentine tennis legend Juan Martin del Potro, a moment that left the 24-time Grand Slam champion feeling honored to play in front of another sporting giant.
“It’s a great honour to have King Leo in the stands,” Djokovic shared, admitting that playing before Messi was a new experience for him. “I think it’s the first time I’ve played in front of Messi, and honestly, I was a little nervous.” Djokovic expressed his deep gratitude for Messi’s presence, especially with his family in tow. “I am very grateful for his attendance with his family. I have always been a fan of him, as most of the world has, throughout his career.”
Reflecting on Messi’s influence, Djokovic mentioned his own admiration for the football star’s career. “I’ve watched him play a few times. I think I saw him in World Cup finals when he won with Argentina. I watched him last year once, I think it was with L.A. or Inter Miami,” Djokovic said. But it was the rare opportunity of having Messi watch him play live that truly brought Djokovic immense joy and excitement—though it came with a bit of added pressure. “To have him watch me live obviously brings me great, great joy and excitement, and also a bit of pressure, to be honest,” Djokovic admitted.
A lighter moment unfolded when Djokovic shared a playful anecdote about Messi’s son, who gave him a rating after the match. “I was rated by one of his sons today as 8 out of 10, which is pretty good. He, with a serious face, told me I have to make it 10 out of 10 next match.” Djokovic laughed, highlighting the humorous exchange and the light-hearted pressure Messi’s son had put on him. “Yeah, we joked around. It was nice to meet with his whole family. It was a very touching moment for me because it’s one thing that he comes, but then bringing his whole family, his kids, his wife. As a young father myself, I know what that means.”
For Djokovic, the gesture of Messi bringing his entire family added even more depth to the experience. “It’s different when you bring the whole family. I was very touched by that and his willingness to spend some time after,” Djokovic said, reflecting on the significance of the encounter. “I value that time with him. It’s a wonderful moment for me and for this tournament and tennis in general for him to be here.”
On the court, Djokovic’s performance was simply too much for Dimitrov to handle. With this commanding victory, Djokovic is now just one match away from clinching his 100th career title, a milestone that carries special meaning for the 37-year-old, despite his ability to downplay the significance of past records.
“Ever since I won my 99th, which was at the Olympic Games in Paris, I’ve been playing with the prospect of reaching the special hundred titles,” Djokovic explained. The journey to this remarkable milestone has not been without its challenges, with Djokovic coming close in various tournaments. “I played finals in Shanghai, I was close there. Semi-finals in Australia. Then I’ve been trying to find that necessary and much-needed level of tennis that will put me in a position to fight for a big trophy.”
As Djokovic prepares for the final, he is satisfied with his preparation and his performance throughout the week. “I’ve been very happy with the way I’ve prepared for the tournament, the way I’ve been playing. I haven’t dropped a set. It’s a great opportunity,” he said, looking ahead to what could be a historic victory in just two days. “Let’s see what happens.”