Djokovic watches Messi play.

USA - World number one tennis player Novak Djokovic took his family to watch Lionel Messi's match before embarking on the Masters 1000 series in the US.

Djokovic brought his family on his trip to the US, marking his first return to California since 2019. The Serbian tennis player didn't train immediately but instead went with his wife and son Stefan to watch the Inter Miami vs. LA Galaxy match on February 26th. Lionel Messi scored a last-minute equalizer for Inter Miami, making the score 1-1.

Djokovic in the stands at Dignity Health Sports Park in Los Angeles, California, on February 26th, as LA Galaxy hosted Lionel Messi's Inter Miami. Photo: ESPN

"I've struggled with not having my family around when I've been to Australia in recent years," Djokovic said in an interview in the US on February 25, two days after he arrived in Los Angeles on the same flight as Rafael Nadal. "Being away from my children for a week or a month is a big challenge because they're growing up every day. I need balance in my life and I need to connect with my family as much as possible."

Djokovic arrived in the US 15 days early, before the start of the Indian Wells Masters 1000 tournament. He had previously skipped the Dubai Championship to go skiing, and then went to Spain for training. Nole is expected to move into his $5 million penthouse in Miami in the next few weeks, after the Indian Wells Masters concludes. The Miami Open is the Serbian player's favorite Masters 1000 tournament, with a record six titles.

"Returning to the US at the beginning of the year and playing two Masters 1000 tournaments in a row is fantastic," Djokovic said. "I've had a lot of fun playing at the US Open over the years, but Indian Wells and Miami have always been the most enjoyable places for me throughout my career."

Djokovic has won the "Sunshine Double" four times, winning both Indian Wells and Miami in the same year. He will be the top seed in both tournaments this year as he is guaranteed to hold the world number one ranking until April.

Besides watching Messi play, Djokovic received more good news on February 26th when he was nominated for the Laureus Award – often referred to as the Oscars of sports . The world number one tennis player has won this award four times, in 2012, 2015, 2016, and 2019. This year, he will compete against Messi himself, striker Erling Haaland, F1 driver Max Verstapen, track and field star Noah Lyles, and pole vaulter Armand Duplantis.

Vy Anh

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