In a hilarious revelation, tennis superstar Novak Djokovic has admitted he deliberately refused to give Lionel Messi any pointers on how to play tennis, fearing the football icon would end up dominating him on the court.
The Fateful Restaurant Meeting
The two sporting legends crossed paths in 2023, shortly after Messi's high-profile move to Inter Miami from Paris Saint-Germain. During a meeting at a restaurant in the United States, the conversation took an amusing turn when the Argentine maestro sought Djokovic's expertise.
"He asked me for advice about tennis," Djokovic recalled. "I told him: 'Please, Messi, don't ask me that. I won't give you any information. You dominate football, and now you want to dominate tennis. No, no, play football. When I retire, then you can play tennis.'"
Djokovic's Playful Fear of Messi's Talent
The 38-year-old Serbian, who is preparing for the Australian Open where he will face Pedro Martinez in the first round, was only half-joking. With a remarkable 24 Grand Slam titles and an Olympic gold medal over a 23-year career, Djokovic is considered one of the greatest tennis players ever. Yet, he is convinced Messi's otherworldly talent would translate seamlessly.
"He laughed and told me: 'I'm lucky that football is played with the feet and not with the hands,'" Djokovic shared. "But the truth is, I'm lucky Leo isn't a tennis player, otherwise I wouldn't win any titles. He's the best football player of all time. I love watching him."
Messi's Legacy and Djokovic's Future
Messi's legendary career, which includes a World Cup win with Argentina in 2022, countless league titles, and European triumphs, seems enough for any athlete. However, Djokovic's comments playfully suggest that even football's pinnacle might not contain the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner's competitive drive.
As for Djokovic's own career, fans need not worry about an imminent retirement. Former coach Patrick Mouratoglou recently reassured supporters on social media, stating Djokovic will be ready for the Australian Open despite withdrawing from the Adelaide tournament.
"It's probably the last two years of Novak playing on tour," Mouratoglou said. "He's still seeded quite high, so he will have the time at the Australian Open to have his level raised."
For now, it seems the boundaries of sport are safe. Messi remains in football, and Djokovic continues his quest for more tennis glory, both masters of their own domains, much to the relief of one very grateful Serbian champion.
