Novak Djokovic attends Ballon d'Or ceremony 2023 in Paris
World No. 1 Novak Djokovic is one of many sporting stars in attendance at the 2023 Ballon d'Or ceremony in Paris on Monday.
The 36-year-old is in the city to compete in the upcoming Paris Masters, the last Masters 1000 event of the year. It will be his first tournament after winning a record 24th Grand Slam singles title at the US Open last month.
A day earlier, Djokovic had taken time out of his busy schedule to watch South Africa beat New Zealand 12-11 in the Rugby World Cup final in the city. On Monday, he attended the Ballon d'Or ceremony, where the 2023 winner will be announced.
A self-confessed football fan, Djokovic is undoubtedly excited to attend his first Ballon d'Or ceremony, telling the website:
"I've never attended neither Rugby World Cup final nor Ballon d'Or. I'm a huge football fan. Football is by far the most popular sport in the world. I grew up watching football, playing football. My father was a professional for some time. So I'm really excited to be here."
About the possibility of Serbian players winning the Ballon d'Or - there aren't any in the 30-man shortlist this year - Djokovic said that the possibility appears remote in the era of Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe. He continued:
"It would be amazing if a Serbian player wins Ballon d'Or. We have some good players in our generation. ... With all the players like Messi, Haaland, Mbappe, it's hard to win the Ballon d'Or. I don't know if it's realistic."
Djokovic opens his Paris Masters campaign on Wednesday.
Novak Djokovic's year so far in 2023
Novak Djokovic has had a season for the ages in 2023. Despite being 36, the Serb has aged like fine age and came within a set of winning the Calendar Grand Slam.
Having won a record-extending 10th Australian Open title, he became the first male player in history to win the triple career Grand Slam when he won his third Roland Garros title.
At Wimbledon, Djokovic met his match in Carlos Alcaraz in a riveting five-set final, as the young Spaniard thwarted the current World No. 1. However, the Serb bounced back at the US Open to create more history. He beat Daniil Medvedev in straight sets in the final to win his 24th Grand Slam singles title.
Djokovic is currently competing at the Paris Masters and will face either Miomir Kecmanovic or Tomas Martin Etcheverry in the second round.