Novak Djokovic, the world No. 1 tennis player, delighted soccer fans worldwide when he mimicked Cristiano Ronaldo’s iconic ‘siu’ celebration during a kickaround at Indian Wells. Djokovic, in California to participate in the BNP Paribas Open, enjoyed a casual game of soccer before the tournament began.
In a video posted on social media, Djokovic was seen scoring past fellow tennis star Stefanos Tsitsipas, then celebrating by emulating Ronaldo’s signature move. He also appeared to imitate Chelsea legend Didier Drogba, adding a unique touch to the celebration.
This wasn’t the first time Djokovic showcased his love for soccer and admiration for Ronaldo’s celebration. Earlier in the week, he was spotted playing soccer and repeated the ‘siu’ gesture after scoring.
Tsitsipas, who participated in the kickaround, expressed how much fun he had during the game, indicating that he got lost in the enjoyment of it all.
Djokovic’s playful imitation adds to a list of athletes who have emulated Ronaldo’s celebration, including NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Ronaldo introduced the ‘siu’ celebration in 2013 during his time with Real Madrid and has continued to use it throughout his career, including his stints at Juventus, Manchester United, and Al-Nassr.
As for Djokovic’s tennis pursuits, he is set to begin his tournament at Indian Wells against unseeded Australian Aleksandar Vukic, while Tsitsipas secured a victory in his first match against Lucas Pouille.