Though Novak Djokovic was the toast of Roland-Garros and legions of fans the world over after lifting his 19th Grand Slam title at the end of a pulsating five-setter in the French Open final, it was a special gesture that won him many hearts in the throbbing Philippe-Chatrier on Sunday.
Too exhausted to celebrate after coming from two sets down to battle past a determined Stefanos Tsitsipas, Djokovic was seen handing his racquet to a young fan in the stands.
And, the response of the young boy on receiving a piece from his hero to treasure for a lifetime was the biggest takeaway of the day.
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The kid erupted in unbridled delight and was seen jumping for joy as he held the racquet with a look of stunned disbelief.
This kid’s reaction when Djoker gives him his racket is everything pic.twitter.com/uc2mA1BXbv
— Will Brinson (@WillBrinson) June 13, 2021
A clip of the moment went viral on social media. It also shows the boy receiving a hug from a woman, possibly his mother, as he lives his dream moment.
Alexis Ohanian shares of clip of Novak Djokovic handing his racquet to a young fan
Reddit co-founder and Serena Williams’s husband Alexis Ohanian shared the clip on Twitter, tagging it with a message that said, “That’s a moment”.
The incredible win, which was as much a triumph of his skills as his mental strength and fortitude, has put the Serb just one short of Big 2 Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal’s career haul of Grand Slam titles.
Seven-time Grand Slam champion and former World No.1 Mats Wilander had predicted a win for Djokovic on Sunday, even going to the extent of saying that the Big 3 will be level at 20 Grand Slam titles apiece at the end of Wimbledon.
That's a moment. https://t.co/4QLuECYOdH
— AlexisOhanian.eth 7️⃣7️⃣6️⃣ (@alexisohanian) June 13, 2021
Mats Wilander had backed Djokovic to win French Open
Speaking to Eurosport, Wilander said the numbers favor the Serb and he should finish as the greatest ever down the road.
“Novak could be on 19 after this (French Open final) and there could be three guys on 20 after Wimbledon. We have to start talking about the ‘GOAT’,” Wilander said.
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Watch This Link: BRUTAL: Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev, Daniil Medvedev, Nick Kyrgios and Others’ Racquet Smashes at French Open
In a match that bore an uncanny resemblance to how things went down in his fourth-round clash against teenaged Italian sensation Lorenzo Musetti, Djokovic was seemingly down for the count after going two sets down.
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However, just when it seemed like Tsitsipas had one hand on his maiden Grand Slam title, Djokovic elevated himself to God-mode as he has done so often in his career and put the icing on a remarkable comeback effort with his 19th career title.