"Will eventually understand Novak is the GOAT" - Tennis fans react to No. 1s Iga Swiatek and Novak Djokovic catching up in Dubai
Iga Swiatek and Novak Djokovic, the respective World No. 1s in women's and men's singles tennis, were spotted having a conversation at a gymnasium on the sidelines of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships last week.
Djokovic could be seen walking up to Swiatek and placing his hands on her shoulder as they spoke. You can watch the video here:
Novak and Iga in the gym of @DDFTennis tournament 🏋️💪
Source: youtu.be/C1ejyT6k1Pg
#Djokovic #Swiatek #DDFTennis https://t.co/lGQvCEi6NN
The video has sent fans into a tizzy, with many taking to social media to express their awe at watching the two have a conversation. A fan opined that Swiatek would follow Djokovic's footsteps and stay put at the top of the rankings.
"Iga will eventually understand Novak is the GOAT and follow his footsteps," the fan tweeted.
Iga will eventually understand Novak is the GOAT and follow his footsteps twitter.com/cestlaviemache…
Another fan opined that this was a No.1’s summit.
"No.1’s summit 🙌 the way she was just casually laying in front of him, I can’t 😀😀," the fan wrote.
the way she was just casually laying in front of him, I can’t 
No.1’s summit 🙌 the way she was just casually laying in front of him, I can’t 😀😀 twitter.com/cestlaviemache…
Here are some of the other reactions:
THAT’S LITERALLY MOTHER AND FATHER KSSKEKRKFJEKDKE twitter.com/cestlaviemache…
@cestlaviemacher @2_arms_ @DDFTennis discussing stretching and sliding on the court
@whomstissarah that guy in the back was all of us https://t.co/93k7QSo9Ev
@whomstissarah Two great champions!
- 25 major titles between them
- 426 weeks at #1 between them
- 105 titles between them
- 43 Masters 1000 titles between them
So impressive!
And when they both dominate 2023??????? We cheer
@cestlaviemacher @DDFTennis What language are they speaking? Numberoneish?
While Swiatek lost to Barbora Krejcikova 6-4, 6-2 in the women's singles final last week, Djokovic will be up against Tallon Griekspoor in the Round of 16 on March 1. This is the second time Djokovic and Griekspoor will face each other, with the Serb winning their lone previous meeting, at the 2021 US Open, in straight sets.
Novak Djokovic's says his immediate priority is to stay healthy and win more Grand Slams
Breaking records has become a bit of a routine for Novak Djokovic. The 35-year-old pocketed yet another record earlier this week as he surpassed Steffi Graf to become the longest-reigning World No. 1 in tennis history.
Djokovic has now been the top-ranked player for a record 378 weeks. His feat was celebrated with a small ceremony organized by the tournament.
Djokovic has won the Dubai Tennis Championships on five previous occasions, with his most recent victory coming in 2020. When asked if he thought of being the No. 1 for 500 weeks, he said his priority was to remain healthy and focus on winning more Grand Slams.
"I'm 36 this year, so I just don't think at the moment this is highest priority. I would like to stay healthy and prolong my career as much as I can to play on this highest level. That's the one priority," he said at a press conference.
"The other priority is playing the best tennis in Grand Slams, trying to win more Grand Slams. Then if No. 1 ranking in the world comes as a consequence of good results, I'll be very happy," he added.
The Serb also acknowledged how impressive his feat of regaining the World No. 1 ranking in 2023 was. He missed two Grand Slams the previous year, including the Australian Open, and did not receive any ranking points for his Wimbledon triumph, and yet he still managed to get back to the top.