Novak Djokovic was in attendance at the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Lakers game on Saturday, where he witnessed his fellow countryman Nikola Jokic lead the Nuggets to a 124-114 victory, extending their NBA winning streak to six games.

After the game, Djokovic and Jokic shared heartfelt embraces, joined by former NBA player and Serbian basketball legend Vlade Divac. Their embrace quickly went viral on social media, with numerous prominent basketball and tennis accounts sharing the moment on Twitter and Instagram. The interaction between Djokovic and Jokic, who conversed in Serbian during the video, sparked amusement, leading to the ATP No. 1 chuckling before enveloping Jokic in a bear hug.

Fan translations revealed that Nikola Jokic initially hesitated to hug Djokovic due to his “sweaty” appearance from the game. However, the 24-time Grand Slam champion was unfazed, humorously dismissing Jokic’s concerns by saying, “Come on, who cares.”

Nikola Jokic has long held admiration for Novak Djokovic, expressing a desire to emulate him in a previous interview. Jokic praised Djokovic for his representation of Serbian youth and the positive impact he has made through his foundation. He acknowledged that comparing himself to Djokovic is no longer relevant given the latter’s significant prominence in the global sporting arena.

In an upcoming event, Djokovic is set to make his debut at Indian Wells, marking his first tournament appearance since his semifinal defeat at the Australian Open against eventual champion Jannik Sinner. The mutual respect and admiration between Djokovic and Jokic highlight their status as Serbian superstars, serving as inspirations to many in their homeland and beyond.