‘We’re Going to Dinner’- Maria Sharapova Turns Back Time to Shed Light on a ‘Funny’ Novak Djokovic Memory

It has been nearly three years, and seven months since Maria Sharapova retired from tennis. But the bond she created with her colleague still remains fresh. The 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic struggled to be recognized when Sharapova became a sensation. But their friendship has always remained solid. Both the Russian and the Serb are widely known for being introverts and having fewer friends. So, they were there for each other before Djokovic won his first Slam.

When the Russian was thriving in his career, the Djoker started to forge his path. In tennis, Sharapova became known well before Djokovic did. But now, since the Serb has broken numerous records, the former World No.1 recalled a rare and funny dinner moment with the current World No.1.

Maria Sharapova narrates a dinner tale with Novak Djokovic

The Sibirskaya Sirena and the Serbinator have always shared a special bond beyond tennis. Masha is one of the first and closest friends Djoker made in tennis. The duo has appeared in several interviews, exhibition matches, charity events, and fundraisers. Masha and Djoker almost went on a date in one of these exhibition matches.

The five-time Grand Slam champion appeared on The Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast, which aired on Spotify. In conversation with a former German professional, Andrea Petkovic, Masha revealed how the Djoker roped her in for dinner after an Indian Wells exhibition match. The Russian shared, “I have this funny story with Novak. I remember I’d won a couple of grand slams. It was at the time when he was like getting there, like getting to the top, but his body was still not at the level of his tennis.”

Masha said about their bet, “And we played this like little mini exhibition in Indian Wells. And he said, ‘If I win the next point’, I don’t know what the bet was. But he won the bet and he’s like, ‘If I win the bet, we’re gonna go to dinner.’ And I was like, ‘Oh, okay, fine, whatever. Like, that’s never gonna happen.’ And he ends up winning. And he’s like, ‘Yeah, we’re going to dinner.’ “

The Grand Slam champions went for dinner in California, and the Djoker even captured the moment. Sharapova thought it was funny, but that moment guaranteed nostalgic laughs for the elite players during the pandemic.

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The Russian and the Serb recall details of their dinner date

When people were confined to their homes in 2020, the Djoker frequently went live on Instagram. One day, he treated fans as he appeared with Sharapova. As the conversation progressed, the Russian said they ate in a Japanese restaurant after the Djoker won a mixed doubles match in ‘La Quinta.’ Though both the champions share the same birth year, at that time, Sharapova thought, ‘Who is this kid?’ 

The Russian legend remembered a condition that if the Djoker won, she had to pay for the dinner. So, the Serb chose the place, and Masha probably paid for their dinner. The Sugarpova founder also revealed that Djokovic pulled out an old Kodak camera and asked the waiter to seize the moment.

Masha jokingly revealed that the dinner felt like she volunteered herself to be auctioned. In the same Instagram Live, the World No.1 admitted that he once played Davis Cup with a hangover. He also clarified that he quit alcohol a long time ago as he gently shied away from Sharapova’s confrontation. The long time bond between the two was palpable, and they share a great friendship to this day.

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