Two legends born just 33 days apart, both aged 39, continue to define their sports. Novak Djokovic, holder of 24 Grand Slam titles, and Lionel Messi, the Argentine football superstar, crossed paths again in the public eye thanks to an interview the Serbian gave to the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, published on August 18, 2026.
In the conversation, Djokovic not only showered Messi with praise but also drew a parallel between the loneliness of tennis and the teamwork of football, and surprised fans by confessing who he considers the natural successor on the circuit: Jannik Sinner.
'Tennis is ruthless, brutal'
Djokovic explained the fundamental difference between his sport and football: "You have no teammates to help you. You're alone with yourself. If you have a bad day, you're out. Tennis is ruthless, brutal."
Then came the comparison to Messi: "Sometimes people tell me: 'Nole, you're like Leo Messi.' I wish! At 39, I'd like to play just 90 minutes." The Serbian, who still competes at the highest level despite his age, laughed.
One anecdote that moved fans most happened last year in Miami, when Messi visited Djokovic with his entire family during the Masters 1000 tournament. "We had a good time; it was lovely to meet his whole family. It was a very moving moment for me because one thing is for him to come alone, but to come with his entire family is something else," Djokovic recalled, visibly emotional.
Messi above Tom Brady
When asked to rank the greatest athletes of all time, Djokovic acknowledged his friendship with former American football star Tom Brady, but did not hesitate to choose the Argentine: "Sorry, Tom, but Messi is better," he said with a smile.
This statement carries extra weight because Djokovic was born on May 22, 1987 and Messi on June 24 of the same year—just 33 days apart. Both, at 39, continue to prove that age is only a number when you have talent and dedication.
His heir: Jannik Sinner
The interview also highlighted a name for the future of tennis: Jannik Sinner, the 25-year-old Italian who is currently world No. 1. Djokovic was blunt: "There are many similarities, though every human is unique and special. We both come from the mountains—he from South Tyrol, I from Serbia. We chose skiing as a sport, left home at 13, and were forced to mature quickly."
The Serbian explained how skiing shaped their style: "There's no doubt skiing gave us elasticity, mobility, the ability to glide on any surface—ankle flexibility comes from the snow, as does balance and coordination." He added: "I won't go into more technical details about the type of tennis Jannik and I play—the similarities are abundant there too. So, to answer briefly: yes, I see myself reflected in Sinner."
Beyond playing style, Djokovic praised the Italian's character: "I wouldn't call it obsession, but rather a constant, total dedication to tennis. I observe his and I completely identify with it: the desire to improve, grow, and evolve from every point of view. Jannik, like me, never settles. He has a champion's mindset—he always has."
The moment of confession
The interview comes at a peculiar time for Djokovic, who just suffered a surprising elimination at the Cincinnati Masters 1000 against Argentine Thiago Tirante, in a match where the Serbian was affected by high temperatures. Despite the setback, Djokovic is already focusing on the US Open 2026, which begins August 30 in New York.
The interview was given to promote his documentary 'Novak Djokovic: The Wolf in Winter', which arrives on Amazon Prime Video this Thursday, August 20. In it, the Serbian reviews his career and pays tribute to his first coach, Jelena Gencic, whom he considers his 'spiritual guide': "Without Jelena Gencic, I wouldn't be Novak Djokovic."
Key fact: Sinner has previously admitted his admiration for Djokovic, even replicating some of his routines and racket specifications. Now, the favor has been returned in the form of public praise from the Serbian, who recognizes him as his mirror on the tour.
Sources: Ámbito · ESPN · TN · Infobae · Punto de Break