Novak Djokovic and Steph Curry, two giants in their respective sports, recently engaged in a memorable exchange of autographed gear during the Warriors-Lakers game in Los Angeles. Djokovic, the world No. 1 in tennis, presented Curry, the Golden State Warriors’ star, with an autographed racquet, while Curry reciprocated with a signed jersey.
The presence of tennis royalty among basketball’s elite added to the excitement of the sold-out game at Crypto.com Arena, where Curry led his team to a 128-121 victory over LeBron James’ Los Angeles Lakers. Among the more than 18,000 fans in attendance was Djokovic, who witnessed Curry’s stellar performance firsthand.
Following the game, Djokovic and Curry shared a warm embrace at center court before exchanging personalized memorabilia. Djokovic expressed his admiration, exclaiming, “That’s awesome,” as Curry handed him his autographed jersey.
This isn’t the first meeting between Djokovic and Curry; their friendship dates back seven years when Djokovic, then injured, watched the Warriors defeat the Los Angeles Clippers. Despite their busy schedules, the two athletes found time to reconnect and share this special moment on the court.
However, Djokovic’s NBA outing might be his last for the year, as he recently withdrew from the Miami Open, citing the need to balance his personal and professional commitments. His unexpected defeat at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells to 20-year-old Italian Luca Nardi marked a rare setback for the tennis legend.
Game recognize game.@StephenCurry30
@DjokerNole pic.twitter.com/0WbMmHLirf
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) March 17, 2024
In a statement, Djokovic expressed regret over missing the opportunity to play in front of passionate fans but expressed hope for future appearances in Miami. Despite the setback, his camaraderie with Curry and the memorable exchange at the Warriors-Lakers game provided a bright spot amid his tennis season’s challenges.