Despite calling time on her career at the US Open in 2022, Serena Williams, at times, makes herself available to watch some of the best active talents on the tour. After making an appearance at the US Open last year, the American icon recently arrived for the Miami Open to watch the action. And, not to much surprise, it was the Serbian icon Novak Djokovic who caught her attention. Williams was seated courtside to watch Nole take on Lorenzo Musetti in the fourth round of the Miami Open on Wednesday, March 26.

But Serena was not the only high-profile spectator gracing the sidelines. Notably, Djokovic’s close friend Juan Martin del Potro was also seated alongside Andy Murray in Djokovic’s players’ box as the cameras cut to the recently retired Argentine star.

For those unaware, del Potro bid farewell to the game just last year in December following a tearful exhibition with Nole on his home turf in Buenos Aires. The Argentine sensation capped his laudable professional journey with a maiden Slam finish at the US Open in 2009, where he defeated Rafael Nadal en route to outclassing five-time defending champion Roger Federer in the title decider, making him the first Argentine player since Guillermo Vilas in 1977 to achieve the feat.

As for Serena, the 23-time Major winner isn’t a regular at attending tour-level events. Her family of four, including her husband Alexis Ohanian and daughters Olympia and Adira, takes immense priority in her post-retirement life. Not to be outdone, the former World No. 1 also focuses on enhancing her business portfolios through her venture capitalist firm, Serena Ventures. The American legend last made waves with her surprise cameo at the Super Bowl LIX halftime show, alongside Compton-based rap sensation Kendrick Lamar.

Coming back to Djokovic, nonetheless, the Serb’s star-studded fourth-round exhibition concluded in his favour after he decimated Musetti’s challenge in straight sets, 6-2, 6-2. The six-time Miami champion had a slow start after the contest was delayed because of rain, but dominated the match from the get-go as he gave the Italian player little to no breathing room to set up a tie with American Sebastian Korda in the last eight.

After wrapping up the match, Djokovic also addressed the star attendees spectating his fourth round contest with a candid admission on the hallowed courts of Miami.

Novak Djokovic says he was “nervous” seeing Serena Williams spectate his Miami showdown

Novak Djokovic has yet to lift a title this season. His maiden deep run for the year came at the Australian Open in January, when he reached the semifinal, only to concede the contest to runner-up Alexander Zverev due to a right leg injury. Since then, Nole has been desperately looking to find his way back to the winners’ circle, and his build-up form in Miami might just play in his favor.

During an on-court interview following his fourth-round win over Musetti, the Serb addressed his “phenomenal” showing at the event, saying: “I think my level is really good, I’m very happy,” he said. “This was the best match of the tournament for me so far, and what I like is to see me as I progress through the tournament, raising the level of tennis, and that’s what’s happening.”

Continuing further, Djokovic added, “He played a couple of really good games at the start of the match, but I broke his serve and never looked back. I won nine games in a row. Phenomenal.”

It is worth noting that earlier in this tournament, Djokovic recorded his 411th win to surpass his arch-rival Rafael Nadal’s record of 410 wins for the most wins on the Masters 1000 stage in the Open Era.

The fourth seed later appeared to be inspired by the presence of Serena Williams and Juan Martin del Potro sitting courtside as well. “It was an honour to have Serena courtside. It may be only the first or second time she has watched me live, so maybe I was a bit nervous. I also had (Juan Martin) Del Potro in the box, so I had to perform in front of them. I think I did well,” Djokovic remarked.

For now, Nole will focus on his upcoming quarterfinal clash against Sebastian Korda, slated to kick off on Thursday, March 27.