In a light-hearted exchange following his gruelling victory, tennis legend Novak Djokovic addressed comparisons to football icon Lionel Messi, who continues to score goals at 39. Argentina is coming off a hard-fought victory against Egypt to reach the quarterfinals of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Messi powered his side from 2-0 down to a 3-2 victory by providing an assist and a goal. On the other hand, Djokovic is coming off an intense 5-hour and 15-minute clash in the quarterfinals against Felix Auger-Aliassime. Both players have proved that age is just a number.
Watch: Djokovic gives witty response to Messi age comparison after epic tennis battle at Wimbledon
During a post-match interview, a journalist remarked on Messi's enduring form in 90-minute football matches while noting Djokovic's triumph after more than five hours on court. Djokovic, smiling, replied: "I'd like to play 90 minutes like him, but..." prompting laughter from those present.
The clip, shared widely on social media by tennis accounts, has resonated with fans celebrating the longevity and dedication of both athletes. Djokovic's comment underscores the intense physical and mental demands of professional tennis compared to team sports.
Supporters praised the mutual respect between the stars, with many highlighting how individual endurance sports test limits far beyond standard match durations. At 39 himself in recent years, Djokovic continues to compete at the highest level, mirroring Messi's remarkable career resilience.
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