NFL icon Tom Brady delivers special message to Novak Djokovic during convo at US Open

• Tennis News
• Novak Djokovic

NFL icon Tom Brady met Novak Djokovic at the US Open and told the Serbian tennis superstar to keep "kicking" it. On Friday, 36-year-old Djokovic routinely handled rising 20-year-old American star Ben Shelton 6-3 6-2 7-6 (4) in the US Open semifinal.

Brady, who retired at the age of 45 after the 2022 NFL season, certainly knows as well as anyone how it feels to be still a strong force in the game at an old age for an athlete. “Keep kicking a-- — like always,” Brady can be heard telling Djokovic.

Djokovic responded to Brady: “Trying, trying." Brady, who visited the US Open with his kids, also made a sad revelation to Djokovic, telling him he didn't make it in time for his match because his kids had school. Instead, Brady got to watch a night session match between Daniil Medvedev and Carlos Alcaraz.

“I wish we could’ve seen you play tonight. But [the kids] had school in Miami, so we had to let them finish, then we flew up. But I was hoping you’d have the night match," Brady said.

Two 🐐 in the house at the #USOpen @DjokerNole 🤝 @TomBrady pic.twitter.com/sstbCG3LMA — US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 9, 2023

Djokovic showed massive respect to Brady, Aaron Rodgers

Earlier this week, New York Jets superstar quarterback Aaron Rodgers was in the stands for Djokovic's round-of-16 win over Borna Gojo.

After beating Gojo, Djokovic said he "respects the greatness" and specifically mentioned NFL icons Rodgers and Brady. "It's a pleasure to have Aaron in the stands tonight for the match. I hope he enjoyed himself. Obviously him, Tom Brady being in my box for Roland Garros finals, and sitting next to my wife, was a huge honor.

I have a relationship with Tom for several years. We go back. I have tremendous respect for him. Yeah, I mean, I try to maintain and nurture relationships with athletes from different sports because, as an athlete, of course I relate to them, I identify myself with what they are doing, and I can understand the pain, the sacrifice, the dedication.

I respect the greatness, especially the guys that have made it to an all-time great level in their respective sports. Those are the kind of people that you want to be around. You want to learn things from them because you never know, there are things that can be so inspirational, as they are in my relationship with Tom," Djokovic said.