Two of the best to ever play in professional sports were hanging out in Flushing on Friday night.
Novak Djokovic closed out a convincing three-set win in the U.S. Open semifinals against unranked American Ben Shelton, and then he got to chat up NFL legend Tom Brady.
In a video posted by the U.S. Open’s official X account, Brady is seen with his three kids — Jack, Benjamin and Vivian — greeting Djokovic after the victory that propelled the tennis great into the U.S. Open final for the 10th time.
Brady had a simple message for Djokovic as the two shook hands and hugged.
“Keep kicking ass — like always,” Brady said.
“Trying, trying,” Djokovic responded.
The 36-year-old greeted Brady’s children before the former quarterback told him some bad news — that he and his family weren’t able to actually see the Djokovic-Shelton match.
“I wish we could’ve seen you play tonight,” Brady said. “But [the kids] had school in Miami, so we had to let them finish, then we flew up. But I was hoping you’d have the night match.”
And as Djokovic awaits to see who he’ll play in the finals, Brady got a close view at his potential opponents Carlos Alcaraz or Daniil Medvedev.
During the night semifinal, Brady was shown on the ESPN broadcast giving his approval to an Alcaraz finish in the third set.
Djokovic, who has also had support from Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers at the U.S. Open, praised Brady earlier in the tournament and spoke of their friendship.
Brady was at the forefront of Djokovic’s celebration in June when he won the French Open.
“It was a pleasure to have Aaron in the stands tonight for the match,” Djokovic said after Sunday’s match. “I’m hoping he enjoyed himself. Obviously him, Tom Brady being in my box for Roland Garros finals and sitting next to my wife, was a huge honor. I have a relationship with Tom for several years. We go back.
“I have tremendous respect for him.”
The two have had plenty of success in their respective careers, as they have a combined 30 titles — 23 men’s singles for Djokovic and seven Super Bowl wins for Brady.
Djokovic will look to make that number go up to 31.