{"id":141549,"date":"2023-09-11T11:42:15","date_gmt":"2023-09-11T11:42:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theprojectsworld.com\/?p=141549"},"modified":"2023-09-11T11:42:15","modified_gmt":"2023-09-11T11:42:15","slug":"why-novak-djokovic-wore-a-kobe-bryant-shirt-after-winning-the-us-open","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theprojectsworld.com\/sport\/why-novak-djokovic-wore-a-kobe-bryant-shirt-after-winning-the-us-open\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Novak Djokovic wore a Kobe Bryant shirt after winning the US Open"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Novak Djokovic has explained why he decided to wear a Kobe Bryant shirt after beating Daniil Medvedev in the US Open final.<\/p>\n
American NBA legend Bryant was tragically killed in a helicopter crash three years ago at the age of 41 along with his daughter Gianna and seven others.<\/p>\n
Djokovic said in his post-match interview that he was close with the Los Angeles Lakers hero and wanted to pay tribute to the basketball great in front of the New York crowd.<\/p>\n
\u2018I thought by doing the t-shirt\u2026 I didn\u2019t share it with anyone until a few days ago,\u2019 the Serbian said in his on-court interview.<\/p>\n
\u2018Kobe was a close friend, we chatted a lot about the winners mentality when I was struggling with injury and try to work my way back to the top he was one of the people I relied on the most he was always there for support in the most friendly way.<\/p>\n
\u2018His passing hurt me deeply and 24 is the jersey he wore at Lakers so I thought it would be nice to acknowledge him.\u2019<\/p>\n
Djokovic has won seven of the last 12 Grand Slams \u2013 absent from two of those and a finalist in two others \u2013 and says his 24th trophy \u2018means the world\u2019 to him as he further cemented his position as arguably the greatest tennis player of all time.<\/p>\n
\u2018Mamba mentality and the Novak will to win.\u2019<\/p>\n
The story behind the friendship between two of the greatest athletes ever \u00f0\u009f\u0090\u0090 pic.twitter.com\/ew1choctON<\/p>\n
\u2018I don\u2019t know where to start, this means the world to me,\u2019 Djokovic added. \u2018I\u2019m repeating myself but I have to say every time that I\u2019m living my childhood dream to compete at this highest level.<\/p>\n
\u2018To make history on this court is truly remarkable and special, in every way and every meaning of the word special.<\/p>\n
\u2018I had a dream when I was seven \u2013 I wanted to become the best player in the world and win Wimbledon that was the only thing I wanted.<\/p>\n
\u2018But I started to dream new dreams, I never imagined I would be standing talking about 24 Grand Slams but the last couple of years I\u2019ve felt I have a chance and I have a shot at history and why not grab it.\u2019<\/p>\n