Novak Djokovic and France’s Tiafoe swap tennis for Real Madrid magic as Madrid Open looms

Tennis stars being fond of soccer is not an unfamiliar sight. The Serb maestro Novak Djokovic, for instance, has long expressed his admiration for AC Milan, once sharing, “I’m a big fan of Milan and I’ll always be. For me, football is second only to tennis. Similarly, American star Frances Tiafoe has proudly shown his allegiance to Chelsea FC, even sporting their jersey during the Laver Cup last year. Recently, as preparations for the Madrid Open intensify, both Djokovic and Tiafoe took a break to enjoy a live soccer match, proving once again that their hearts beat for this beautiful game.

Both Frances Tiafoe and Novak Djokovic have had a rocky start to their clay-court campaigns in 2025. Djokovic, the former world No. 1, suffered a shock exit in his opening match at the Monte-Carlo Masters, losing in straight sets to Chile’s Alejandro Tabilo in the R32. 

Meanwhile, Tiafoe, despite reaching the final of the ATP Houston Open earlier this month, also fell in the R32 in both Monte-Carlo and the Barcelona Open. With both stars gearing up for a stronger showing at the upcoming Madrid Open, they recently hit pause on their training to soak in the vibrant energy of Soccer, spending time at the iconic Santiago Bernabéu Stadium and letting their soccer passion take center stage.

A couple of hours ago, Frances Tiafoe gave fans a glimpse into his downtime as he shared a short video on his IG story from the iconic Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, where Real Madrid were taking on Athletic Club. The fans were treated to another surprise as a popular football fan page on X posted a wholesome clip of Djokovic, visibly thrilled as he celebrated Federico Valverde’s last-minute winner that secured all three points for Real Madrid in La Liga. The Serbian legend was in the stands, sharing the special moment with his children as his joy radiated through the crowd. 

Djokovic’s reaction to Fede Valverde’s goal. pic.twitter.com/Y8AZ2Fdo5i

— TC (@totalcristiano) April 20, 2025

Even before kickoff, Real Madrid’s official IG account shared a star-studded snapshot featuring the American gymnastics icon Simone Biles as well. The caption read “ @DjokerNole, @SimoneBiles, @Mondo_Duplantis, @RebecaRAndrade, and @KellySlater in attendance for the Real Madrid vs. Athletic Club match!” and the image included an impressive lineup of elite athletes. Biles stood alongside Djokovic, Brazilian gymnast Rebeca Andrade, world champion pole vaulter Mondo Duplantis, and surfing legend Kelly Slater. The group’s presence at the Santiago Bernabéu added an extra touch of sporting greatness to an already electric night of soccer.

As for the match itself, it was a tense affair with Real Madrid FC struggling to break through a resilient Athletic Club defense. For most of the night, the Los Blancos looked destined to drop crucial points, with their attacking unit falling short of expectations. But in classic Real Madrid fashion, the magic arrived in the dying moments. The Uruguayan Federico Valverde, known for his flair, fired home a stunning stoppage-time volley in the 93rd minute, securing a hard-fought 1-0 victory and keeping Madrid firmly in the hunt for the La Liga title below table toppers FC Barcelona.

While Djokovic enjoyed that moment and soaked in the joy at the Bernabéu, former ATP stars John Isner and Steve Johnson shared their predictions about the Serbian clinching his 25th Grand Slam title.

“Wimbledon would be his best chance,” Steve Johnson predicts when the Serbian can lift his ultimate 25th

At 37, Novak Djokovic remains a towering figure in tennis with a record 24 GS titles, more than any other male player in history. However, the Serbian icon hasn’t claimed a major since his 2023 US Open triumph. The 2024 season, notably, marked his first year without a Grand Slam victory since 2017, making the pursuit of a 25th title one of the most challenging chapters of his storied career.

Djokovic’s closest shot came at the 2024 Wimbledon, where he defied a lingering knee injury to reach the final. In a déjà vu clash against Carlos Alcaraz, the result mirrored their 2023 battle, with Djokovic once again falling short. However, despite the defeat, former ATP star Steve Johnson believes that Wimbledon remains Djokovic’s best chance to add to his historic tally. The Olympic gold winner’s grass-court brilliance and unmatched experience still make him a formidable force at the All England Club.

In the recent episode of the Nothing major podcast, Johnson said, “I would say Wimbledon would be his best chance if he can get through the first week basically unscathed with a bunch of straight setters and maybe get some luck of the draw in the quarters and semis He just needs to get to the end of the two weeks with a bit more juice in his step. I just feel like he is going to run out of gas at some point, but I think Wimbledon would be his best chance of getting that title.”

Apart from the 25th Grand Slam, Novak is also chasing his 100th ATP singles title, with the Madrid Open offering a prime opportunity. And with Roland-Garros coming before Wimbledon, there’s a possibility his chase for a 25th GS could end on clay. What do you think?

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