Novak Djokovic's Respect For Kobe Bryant: Wear 'Mamba Forever' T-shirts When Receiving The 2023 US Open Trophy

Serbian tennis player, Novak Djokovic. (Photo: Twitter/@usopen)

JAKARTA - Tennis player from Serbia, Novak Djokovic, won the US Open 2023 after defeating Daniil Medvedev in the final, Monday, September 11, morning WIB. Djokovic won with a score of 6-3, 7-6 (7-5), and 6-3.

During the trophy handover procession, Djokovic paid tribute or respect to the late Kobe Bryant basketball star. He wore the "Mamba Forever" shirt during the trophy handover procession.

The t-shirt depicts Djokovic and Bryant. On the back is the number 24, the number worn by the Los Angeles Lakers icon during his career in the NBA.

"I thought about making this shirt a few days ago. I didn't share it with anyone. Kobe was a close friend of mine, we talked a lot, about the mentality of the winner," Djokovic said, quoted from AFP via Antara.

Novak 🤝 Mamba mentality pic.twitter.com/6sO80fNASV

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 11, 2023

Novak Mamba mentality pic.twitter.com/6sO80fNASV

Djokovic said Bryant, who died in a helicopter crash three years ago, had helped him get through the most challenging times of his career, especially an elbow injury that threatened his career in 2017.

"As I struggle with injury and try to get back to the top, he is one of the people I rely on the most, he is always there to provide support in the best and warmest way," said the Serbian tennis player.

"His departure hurt me a lot and number 24 was the number he wore at the Lakers, so I thought it would be nice to give him respect," he added.