The Marvel Cinematic Universe has had a fair share of tennis stars under its grip in recent years. From the ‘Queen of the Court’ Serena Williams to the 2023 US Open champ Coco Gauff, several stars have made their love for the renowned comic book characters known via social media. Recently, one of the iconic characters from the comics, Spiderman, was the central topic in an energetic banter between Novak Djokovic and the young Italian tennis player Matteo Arnaldi.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion humorously answered Arnaldi’s boisterous message with a witty dig counter. The Serb reaffirmed his status as one of the best in the game, both on and off the court. This carefree banter added a hint of excitement in an otherwise competitive world of tennis.
Novak Djokovic shares a playful exchange with the young ATP star over his iconic Spider-Man pose
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Several fans and pundits often commend the Serbian tennis legend for his incredible on-court skills. His unbelievable flexibility has also earned him comparisons with the Marvel superhero Spider-Man. It is a demonstration of the Serb’s deftness and impressive reflexes.
Yesterday, Matteo Arnaldi chose to get the attention of Novak Djokovic by mentioning his Spider-Man moves in a witty way. Arnaldi took to Instagram and shared a story that showed a tweet of the Tennis Channel. The tweet highlighted his flexibility by comparing him to Spider-Man, as he was striking the same pose as the web-slinger while playing a sliding shot.
Novak Djokovic responds to Matteo Arnaldi:
“First, you need to be facing the net and not the wall. Then we can talk. 😂😂”
Lessons from the original Spider-Man. 🕷️ pic.twitter.com/ffBXSF5MAN
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) October 27, 2023
Yet, what grabbed the attention of tennis fans and enthusiasts was not Arnaldi’s boisterous claim for Djokovic. It was the Serb’s response to the playful Instagram story. In a trademark show of his renowned sense of humor, Djokovic rapidly jested back at the young Italian tennis player.
Djokovic took to his Instagram story and answered, “First, you need to be facing the net and not the wall.” The Serb also added, “Then we can talk. Lessons from the original Spider-Man.”
Novak Djokovic responds to Matteo Arnaldi:
“First, you need to be facing the net and not the wall. Then we can talk. 😂😂”
Lessons from the original Spider-Man. 🕷️ pic.twitter.com/ffBXSF5MAN
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) October 27, 2023
The Spider-Man impression has become synonymous with Djokovic’s on-court presence, and it’s not shocking that other players would need to acknowledge it.
It’s a reminder of the Serb’s influence on the game and his ability to inspire numerous viewers. His witty dig was admired by several fans and critics alike. The Serb had once shared his training regimen to increase his distinct flexibility.
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Djokovic once shared his secret to mastering the Spider-Man sliding skills
The Serbian superstar is widely recognized for possessing some of the best on-court movement in the tennis world. His capacity to reach unattainable shots by gracefully sliding across the court is akin to a jet ski cutting through the water. Djokovic’s astonishing 180-degree leg stretches to retrieve shots from challenging positions are nothing short of breathtaking.
In 2020, Djokovic shared a photo on his Twitter account, depicting himself engaged in a pilates session. What piqued the interest of many was the Serb’s revelation that this training was geared towards honing his Spider-Man-like sliding skills. It appears that Pilates played a significant role in enhancing this aspect of his game.
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Djokovic’s ability to slide with such finesse on the court poses a significant challenge for his opponents, as it makes it incredibly difficult for them to hit winners against him. His agility and sliding skills have become integral components of his unique playing style. Do you think the future generation will try to emulate this skill of the Djoker?
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