Watch: Novak Djokovic Pays Glorious Tribute To Kobe Bryant After 24th Grand Slam Title
NDTV
Novak Djokovic said Kobe Bryant, who died in a helicopter crash three years ago, had helped him through some of the most challenging times of his career -- notably a career-threatening elbow injury in 2017.
The undisputed No.1 in in the world of men's tennis, Novak Djokovic, added another Grand Slam title to his name, defeating Russia's Daniil Medvedev to win the US Open 2023 title. After what was his 24th Grand Slam win, Djokovic paid a brilliant tribute to late basketball star Kobe Bryant, wearing a "Mamba Forever" shirt during the trophy presentation. Djokovic beat Daniil Medvedev 6-3, 7-6 (7/5), 6-3 to clinch his fourth US Open crown and gain revenge for his loss to the Russian two years ago which shattered his dreams of a calendar Grand Slam. Novak hits 24 and pays tribute to the late Kobe Bryant pic.twitter.com/rDXVUvYe1Z
Afterwards, Djokovic revealed a t-shirt with an image of him alongside Bryant -- the ferociously competitive basketball great whose nickname was "Mamba". On the back was 24, the number worn by the Los Angeles Lakers icon during his NBA career.
Djokovic said Bryant, who died in a helicopter crash three years ago, had helped him through some of the most challenging times of his career -- notably a career-threatening elbow injury in 2017.
"I thought about doing this t-shirt a few days ago," said Djokovic.
