NEW YORK — Novak Djokovic couldn’t take into consideration No. 24 with out considering of Kobe Bryant.
So after successful the U.S. Open on Sunday evening for a historic twenty fourth Grand Slam title, Djokovic placed on a blue T-shirt that honored the Los Angeles Lakers nice.
The shirt learn “Mamba Forever” on the entrance, together with photos of Bryant and Djokovic. On the again in purple was the No. 24, one among two numbers Bryant wore throughout his Hall of Fame profession.
Djokovic mentioned he got here up with the thought a couple of week in the past as a approach to honor his pal. He mentioned he obtained recommendation on his personal profession from Bryant, who died in 2020 in a helicopter crash that additionally killed his daughter, Gianna, and 7 others.
“Kobe was a close friend, we chatted a lot about the winner’s mentality when I was struggling with injury and trying to make my comeback, work my way back to the top of the game,” Djokovic mentioned. “He was one of the people that I relied on the most.”
“He was always there for any kind of counsel, advice, any kind of support in the most friendly way,” Djokovic continued. “So of course what happened a few years ago and him and his daughter passing hurt me deeply, and I thought 24 is the jersey he wore when he became a legend of the Lakers and world basketball, so I thought it could be a nice, symbolic thing to acknowledge him for all the things he’s done.”
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