NOVAK DJOKOVIC joked that Alexander Zverev was “spying” on him ahead of their French Open quarter-final clash.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion is set to take on big-serving Zverev in tomorrow’s night session at Roland Garros.
Ahead of Djokovic’s round four victory over Britain’s Cameron Norrie on Monday, Paris Saint-Germain superstar Ousmane Dembele paraded the Champions League trophy around Court Philippe-Chatrier.
Following his 6-4 3-0 walkover win over Tallon Griekspoor earlier in the day, Zverev ambled over to Chatrier to have his picture taken with the famous cup.
Posting his snap with the trophy to Instagram, former French Open finalist Zverev wrote: “Didn’t expect to see you here @championsleague. Congrats @psg.”
Djokovic, who has a good relationship with the 28-year-old, cheekily claimed that Zverev had an ulterior motive.
The Serb, 38, commented: “Tell the truth. You were there because you were spying on my game. Seeing the trophy was just an excuse.”
Djokovic’s jibe received more than 12,000 likes from amused fans.
The three-time French Open champion is aiming to end a Grand Slam drought dating back to the 2023 US Open.
Ahead of the tournament, Djokovic split with coach Andy Murray following first-round exits in Monte Carlo and Madrid.
Having won a smaller event in Geneva on the eve of the French Open, Djokovic arrived in Paris in a jovial mood.
The Belgrade superstar has reached the last eight without even dropping a set.
And on Sunday evening, Djokovic even headed to the nearby Parc des Princes to celebrate PSG’s Champions League.
Hundreds were arrested in Paris following a night of chaos in the wake of PSG’s triumph.
On an eventful Saturday night, during which he beat Austria’s Filip Misolic, Djokovic said: “People were quite tense here, I must say, for our return to the hotel.
“They were not suggesting us at one point to go back at all, to maybe find a place to sleep somewhere around here for a night, because at that point it was already past midnight and some gas bombs and cars under fire and stuff happening on the street that was really dangerous.
“Everything around our hotel, which is close to Arc de Triomphe.
“So in the end we talked. We waited for a bit, and then we decided to go.”
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