Novak Djokovic was ‘honoured’ to have Lionel Messi watch him in Miami as the Serb edged closer to a 100th career title.
It was a 60th Masters 1000 final for Djokovic as he dismantled Grigor Dimitrov 6-2 6-3 to record his 13th victory over the Bulgarian.
A much needed week for Djokovic who was lacking confidence heading into Miami but has picked up his form again.
Speaking after the match Djokovic highlighted his serve as the key to victory, “As far as my game goes, again, serve was definitely the highlight of the match,” Djokovic was quoted by the ATP website as saying.
“I think I was 83 per cent [first-serves made] last match, and I thought it would probably be difficult to beat that, but today 87 [per cent]. I don’t know what to say, I’ve been serving really well and hopefully I can continue in the same fashion because that definitely makes my life easier on the court.”
Watching Djokovic dominate yesterday was another player who is used to dominating sport in the form of Lionel Messi.
The former Barcelona and current Inter Miami star was watching Djokovic take to centre stage as the Serb has more history in his sights.
Djokovic admitted he was honoured to have Messi watch him play, “It’s huge honour. I mean, he’s such a great athlete, not just a football player. His impact on the world of sport in the past 20 years has been immense,” Djokovic told the ATP website.
Greatness in attendance
— ATP Tour (@atptour) March 28, 2025@TeamMessi @MiamiOpen | #MiamiOpen | @InterMiamiCF pic.twitter.com/YoOTMCfiRM
“To have him watch me live obviously brings me great, great joy and excitement, and also a bit of pressure, to be honest. I was rated by one of his sons today as 8 out of 10, which is pretty good. He with a serious face told me I have too make 10 out of 10 next match. So I have quite a bit of pressure from Messi’s son there. We joked around.
“It was the first time I’ve played in front of him. I’ve watched him play a few times. I think finals of World Cup, I watched when he won with Argentina. I think I watched him last year once. I think it was with L.A. with Inter Miami.
“Obviously thrilled to have his whole family. I did see him after the match. Came by the locker room. So we spent some time talking and exchanged gifts.”
Now the serious business starts for Djokovic as he bids for a 100th career title when he takes on Jakub Mensik in the final.
The Serb knows how much it would mean to join an elite list of players to have won a century of titles, “Ever since I won my 99th, which was the Olympic Games in Paris, I’ve been playing with the prospect of winning the special hundred titles,” Djokovic explained.
“I played finals of Shanghai. I was close there. Semi-finals of Australia. Then 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 in two days.”
The Miami Open final will take place on Saturday.
