Novak Djokovic attends the 2023 Ballon d’Or ceremony
World No. 1 Novak Djokovic is among the numerous athletic celebrities in attendance at the 2023 Ballon d’Or presentation on Monday in Paris.
The 36-year-old is in town to compete in the upcoming Paris Masters, the year’s last Masters 1000 tournament. It will be his first competition since winning a record 24th Grand Slam singles championship last month at the US Open.
Djokovic had taken time out of his hectic schedule the day before to witness South Africa defeat New Zealand 12-11 in the city’s Rugby World Cup final. He attended the Ballon d’Or event on Monday, where the winner for 2023 will be announced.
Djokovic, a confessed football lover, is clearly delighted to attend his first Ballon d’Or event, telling the website:
“I’ve never attended neither Rugby World Cup final nor Ballon d’Or. I’m a huge football fan. Football is by far the most popular sport in the world. I grew up watching football and playing football. My father was a professional for some time. So I’m really excited to be here.”
« I’m a huge football fan! So happy to attend finally the Ballon d’Or »
— Ballon d'Or #ballondor (@ballondor) October 30, 2023
? Novak Djokovic at the #ballondor pic.twitter.com/g7uqg8bdfj
In terms of the likelihood of Serbian players winning the Ballon d’Or – there are none on the 30-man shortlist this year – Djokovic believes it is unlikely in the era of Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland, and Kylian Mbappe. He went on to say:
“It would be incredible if a Serbian player won the Ballon d’Or.” Our generation has several talented players. With players like Messi, Haaland, and Mbappe, it isn’t easy to win the Ballon d’Or. I don’t know if it’s feasible.
On Wednesday, Djokovic will begin his Paris Masters campaign.
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