NOVAK DJOKOVIC will look to strengthen his claim to be the tennis GOAT – after a ticking off from the son of a football GOAT.
The Serbian superstar, 37, will try to win a 100th ATP Tour title when he faces unseeded and untested Czech teen Jakub Mensík in the Miami Open final.
Only Roger Federer (103) and Jimmy Connors (109) have been male centurions in terms of tournament wins in the Open Era.
Djokovic’s ruthless 6-2 6-3 demolition of Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov in the semi-finals was watched by Lionel Messi, considered by many to be the best footballer of this era, if not of all time.
Argentina’s World Cup-winning captain, 37, met Djokovic backstage – with retired tennis star Juan Martin del Potro – and they exchanged shirts and posed for photos.
And one of Messi’s sons told Djokovic he must up his level as he tries to surpass Federer as the oldest Masters champion in history.
Djokovic – boosted by an easy draw in Florida – gushed: “It was the first time I’ve played in front of him.
“I’ve watched him play a few times. The final of the 2022 World Cup when he won with Argentina. I think I watched him last year, too.
“Obviously I’m thrilled to have his whole family here. I did see him after the match. He came by the locker room. We spent some time talking and exchanged gifts.
“It’s a huge honour. He’s such a great athlete, not just a football player.
“His impact on the world of sport in the last 20 years has been immense.
“To have him watch me live obviously brings me great, great joy and excitement, and also a bit of pressure.
“I was rated by one of his sons as eight out of 10, which is pretty good. With a serious face, he told me I have to make it 10 out of 10 for the next match.
“So I have quite a bit of pressure from Messi’s son there!
“It was a very touching moment for me because it’s one thing that he comes, but then he brings his whole family, his kids, his wife.
“As a young father myself, I know what that means. It’s different when you bring the whole family.
“I was very touched by that and his willingness to spend some time together.”
Djokovic – a 24-time Grand Slam champion – is aiming for his first success since receiving Olympic singles gold last year in Paris and this would be his first major result with Andy Murray in his corner.
The Belgrade battler said: “Ever since I won my 99th, which was the Olympic Games in Paris, I’ve been playing with the prospect of winning the special hundredth title.
“I played in the final in Shanghai. I was close there. The semi-finals of the Australian Open.
“I have been trying to find that necessary and much-needed level of tennis that will put me in a position to fight for a trophy, a big trophy.
“That’s what I’ve been doing this week. I’ve been very happy with the way I prepared for the tournament, the way I’ve been playing. I haven’t dropped a set.
“It’s a great opportunity. Let’s see what happens.”
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