Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic is one of the greatest athletes around in modern times. He has achieved a great many things, and yet he is still hungry for more. Athletes from other sporting spheres have also acknowledged Djokovic’s greatness, including UFC star Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Novak is currently in Dubai for the preseason. The Serb will take on Carlos Alcaraz in the highly anticipated clash at the Riyadh Tennis Cup. Djokovic was in Marbella before he shifted base to Dubai, where he has been training at the Atlantis The Royal Hotel.
Novak had one of the best seasons of his career, winning three Grand Slams out of four. Moreover, he managed to equal Margaret Court’s record of 24 major titles after winning the US Open. Despite the preparations being in full swing for the new season, Djokovic took time out to meet Khabib.
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Novak and his team dropped by the NAS Sports Complex on Thursday (December 21), where he met Khabib. The UFC star took to social media to share a photo featuring them both. Nurmagomedov referred to the Serb as the GOAT in his caption. Djokovic later reposted it as a story on his Instagram account.
Fans of tennis and the UFC were delighted to see the two of the best in their respective fields posing together. Users flocked to the comments, expressing their excitement as the best of both worlds collided in Dubai.
Novak Djokovic and Khabib go a long way back and have often cheered each other on. While the Serb is still an active player, Nurmagedov retired in 2021 with an incredible record of 29 wins and no losses.
Novak Djokovic and Khabib Nurmagomedov have been very supportive
Nurmagomedov is one of the legends of the UFC and has enjoyed a decorated career. Over the years, he has brushed shoulders with the best athletes around the world. One of them happens to be Djokovic. From Khabib telling Djokovic to “smash” Jason Stacy to congratulating him after winning the US Open, their friendship has only grown with time.
Stacy is Aryna Sabalenka’s trainer, and he and Novak were involved in a mock fight at the Australian Open in 2021. Djokovic posted a clip of the fight on Instagram, asking Khabib for his opinion. The UFC star did not leave him hanging, as he instructed Djokovic to “smash him next time.”
Nurmagomedov also joined Djokovic and soccer stars Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba ahead of the FIFA World Cup final. They posed with Nasser Al-Khelaifi, the owner of Paris Saint-Germain.
Novak Djokovic will be seen at the Riyadh Tennis Cup next. The Serb will then head to Australia to mount a defense of his Australian Open title.