Lionel Messi with Antonela Roccuzzo in the stands of the main stadium in Miami Gardens, where the Miami Masters 1000 is being held. Serbian Novak Djokovic advanced to the final by defeating Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov 6-2, 6-3.
On a court crossed by strong gusts of wind, the number 5 ranked player and fourth seed gave a tennis lesson fit for the best soccer player in the world, who arrived at the venue just as the match had begun. Television cameras were quick to capture images of a smiling Leo, the only moment of the game when there was any parity. Two legends of the sport separated by a few meters.
Dimitrov broke early, but quickly surrendered his serve. And when Messi, wearing a two-tone cap, black shirt, and denim jacket, was already in his seat, Djokovic began to make a difference. As if he had waited to give his best. Because from then on, he excelled against a tenacious opponent who, dragged down by the fatigue of the previous days’ battles, offered him limited resistance, showing more perseverance than precision.
The Bulgarian saved a match point at 2-5 and 30-40 in the second set and held serve, but Nole immediately became relentless with his serve to close out the game after one hour and nine minutes. He clenched a fist, shook the racket with his right hand, and smiled at the net as he embraced his opponent, while not only Lionel Messi applauded, but also Juan Martín del Potro, seated among the Serbian’s staff. The Tandil native lives in Miami for much of the year and was invited by the Serbian, with whom he has a very good relationship, as well as with his coach, the Scottish Andy Murray.
The tennis player, who has already won everything and is still going strong, received a visit from the footballer who currently conquers everything with the ball at his feet. Both are 37 years old. The king of the racket was born one month and two days earlier. This Friday, a four-person effort allowed Messi to enjoy the game after training with Inter Miami, which this Saturday hosts Philadelphia in the Major League Soccer tournament.
Pepe Costa, a loyal supporter of Leo who left Barcelona to follow him in the United States, wrote to Germán Dozoretz, agent and friend of former tennis player Federico Delbonis, to inquire about the possibility of Messi attending to see Nole. And Dozoretz contacted Charly Gómez-Herrera, the Serbian’s manager, with whom Delbonis was in close contact when Djokovic played with Del Potro in the exhibition last December in Buenos Aires. The intention was that after the match, they would greet each other, as has occasionally happened at other events, off the pitch. It’s the photo everyone wants to see.
During a break in the match, Messi was shown on the stadium’s giant screen and received a standing ovation, which he smiled at. Later, after his victory, Djokovic noted that he felt honored to have played with the Argentine as a witness. “It’s impressive to have him. A great honor and a pleasure to have played against him, possibly for the first time. I’m very grateful that he’s here, I think with his children and family. Of course, I admire him, like most of the world, for his career. It’s impressive that he’s still playing. And we’re the same age, born in 1987. It’s nice to have him here,” the Olympic champion rejoiced.
And a good while after the match, the long-awaited photo appeared. The photos, actually. One, of Novak with Lionel. And the other, of both of them with Juan Martín. The two Argentinians and the Serbian in the locker room of the Miami stadium, where Djokovic reached his 60th Masters 1000 final and will seek his 100th title on the circuit this Sunday, against the winner of the match on Friday night between American Taylor Fritz (3rd) and Czech Jakub Mensik.
