Novak Djokovic honors Kobe Bryant after US Open win

Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates after defeating Daniil Medvedev of Russia during their Men’s Singles Final match on Day Fourteen of the 2023 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 10, 2023 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Clive Brunskill/Getty Images/AFP

Novak Djokovic paid tribute to late basketball star Kobe Bryant after he won his record-equaling 24th Grand Slam title at the US Open on Sunday, 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.

Afterward, Djokovic revealed a t-shirt with an image of him alongside Bryant — the ferociously competititve 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.

Champion Novak Djokovic of Serbia is interviewed following his victory against Daniil Medvedev of Russia in their Men’s Singles Final match on Day Fourteen of the 2023 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 10, 2023 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Clive Brunskill/Getty Images/AFP

“I thought about doing this t-shirt a few days ago,” said Djokovic.

“I didn’t share it with anybody. Kobe was a close friend of mine, we chatted a lot, about the winner’s mentality.

“When I was struggling with injury and trying to work my way back to the top he was one of the people I relied on the most he was always there for support in the most friendly way.

“His passing hurt me deeply and 24 is the jersey he wore at Lakers so I thought it would be nice to acknowledge him.”