09 September 2023 , 16:09
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NFL icon Tom Brady had a simple message for Novak Djokovic after jetting in from Florida to catch the action at the US Open in New York City on Friday night.
The seven-time Super Bowl champion headed for Flushing Meadows with children, Jack, 16, Benjamin, 13, and 10-year-old Vivian, but not until they had finished school in Miami, meaning they did not arrive in time to see Djokovic's straight-sets victory over home favourite Ben Shelton to punch his ticket for Sunday's final.
However, Brady and his kids were able to catch up with Djokovic shortly after his victory, and the former New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers superstar had simple instructions for his friend.
"Keep kicking ass like always," Brady said, with Djokovic replying "(I'm) trying" before the former introduced his children. "I wish we could've seen you play tonight, but they had school in Miami so we had to let them finish and then we flew up. But I was hoping you'd have the night match."
Instead, Brady and his family had to settle for a thrilling contest between Daniil Medvedev and Carlos Alcaraz in the second semi-final at Arthur Ashe Stadium, with the Russian coming out on top after four gruelling sets in the New York City heat.
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Djokovic and Brady – who retired in February – are widely considered to be the greatest players of all time in their respective sports, and they have become good friends in recent years, with Brady sitting alongside the Serb's wife, Jelena, in his box at the French Open in June.
Novak Djokovic beat Ben Shelton in three sets on Friday. (2023 Getty Images)"Tom Brady being in my box for Roland Garros finals, and sitting next to my wife, was a huge honour," Djokovic said at the time. "I have a relationship with Tom for several years. We go back. I have tremendous respect for him.
"His longevity, I feel like his way of approaching recovery, is something that I feel like is a subject that interests us both. We spoke a lot on that topic. Hopefully, we will more pick each other's brains in the future."
Djokovic, a 23-time Grand Slam champion, proved to be a class above Shelton in their semi-final clash on Friday, powering to a 6-3 6-2 7-6 victory. But despite all of his experience, the 36-year-old will face a tough ask against Medvedev, 27, on Sunday evening.
The world No.3 showed immense skill and fortitude to overcome Wimbledon champion Alcaraz as Brady watched on from the stands. After a hard-fought tiebreak victory in the first set, Medvedez seized control in the second set, taking it 6-1.
But Alcaraz fought back hard to claim the third, putting Medvedev under huge pressure. The Russian held on, though, booking an Arthur Ashe reunion with Djokovic two years on from the night he won his one and only Grand Slam title.