There is a friendship name: Kobe and Deyo No. 24 and 24 crown tribute behind the Mamba spiritual heritage
There is a fairy friendship called "Kobe Bryant and Djokovic", as one of the top and most topical players in their respective fields. The common attributes of both are competitiveness, tenacity, unyielding, perseverance, and untamed... In short, they all share the "Mamba spirit".
The cross-field friendship of sports gods, with a difference of 6 years, has a touching "connection" after the end of this year's US Open final. When Djokovic swept Russia's Medvedev 3-0 in straight sets, Serbian King successfully won his fourth US Open title in five years and the 24th Grand Slam men's singles title, he continued to set the first record in men's tennis history, and also opened the gap between Nadal and Federer 20, continuing to consolidate the leading position of GOAT.
Djokovic won 24 titles and wore Kobe Bryant's T-shirt to salute
After Federer retired last year, Nadal missed three Grand Slams this year due to injury, leaving only Djokovic still carrying the banner of the older generation of kings to resist the encirclement and suppression of a group of post-90s and post-00s rising stars. Djokovic has won three consecutive Grand Slam titles at the Australian Open, French Open and US Open this year, and his number of Grand Slam titles has increased from 21 to 24, surpassing Nadal with 22 titles, and becoming the first in men's tennis history, surpassing Serena to be the first in the history of the Open era, and tying Courtt for the first place in the history of the whole era.
At the age of 36, Djokovic still maintains excellent competitive form, especially the tenacity shown in the game, which is undoubtedly a direct embodiment of the "Mamba spirit". After Djokovic won his 24th title at the US Open, he wore a T-shirt emblazoned with the words "Mamba Forever" to commemorate his best friend Bryant.
Pay tribute to the story behind the T-shirt, dating back 10 years to a group photo
After Djokovic won the US Open, he deliberately wore a photo with Kobe Bryant to pay tribute to the Black Mamba, and such a photo is a story that needs to be traced back ten years. Djokovic was competing in the 2013 ATP1000 division, the first Indian Wells Masters of the North American Sunshine Doubles, and he went to the Staples Arena to watch the Lakers' home game against the Hawks before the tournament began, and he left such a precious photo with Kobe.
As for why he paid tribute to Kobe in such a way, Djokovic revealed that it was a temporary intention, "A week ago, I thought of this idea. If you have a chance to win the US Open, you can use this group photo T-shirt to commemorate Kobe. I didn't share it with anyone else, but a few days ago, I asked someone to order this T-shirt for me. ”
Djokovic's customized T-shirt pays tribute to his best friend Kobe, in front of him and Kobe Bryant's photo ten years ago, and behind him is the number 24, which is not only Kobe's classic jersey number, but also Djokovic's current number of Grand Slam titles, which undoubtedly has special significance.
Bryant plays a life coach who guides Deyo out of the trough
In the first half of Djokovic's career, he was in the process of catching up with Federer and Nadal, and his rapid rise made the "Feiner Battle" gradually become the "Finard Tripod". It's just that Djokovic has also experienced a career trough due to injuries and other factors, and after he won the French Open for the first time in 2016, he has since won eight consecutive Grand Slam tournaments without a title, and even his best result in 2017 was only the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam, because injuries kept Djokovic out of the field and into a slump.
At the lowest point of Djokovic's career, the six-year-old Bryant mentored Djokovic and became his best life mentor and helped Djokovic out of adversity. As Djokovic said after winning the US Open: "Kobe is my best friend, and I talked to him a lot about the winner mentality. When I struggled with injury issues, trying to get back into training to get back on the pitch and looking to get back to the top, he was one of my most relied on friends. As a friend, he has always given me the most pertinent advice and the most unwavering support. ”
Kobe's tennis romance, Fernard's Big Three love Deyo
Although Kobe Bryant is a basketball legend, he is also involved in football, tennis and other sports, after all, he lived with his father in Europe as a child. Bryant himself is also very fond of tennis, and even said that he would be happy if his parents let him play tennis when he was a child.
Although Kobe Bryant is not engaged in tennis, he and the Big Three have intersected with the Big Three and have had some "same frame" stories. At the 2019 US Open, Kobe Bryant also became Federer's guest of the side, and Federer also presented a tennis racket to Kobe.
Only when asked which of the three favorite Fernard was Djokovic's answer at the time: "I want to say that Djokovic is my favorite tennis player, and I have been friends with Novak (Djokovic) for a long time. ”
Feixia was unfortunately killed 3 years ago, and Deyo Australian Open remembered Kobe
At the end of January 2020, Bryant died in a helicopter crash, and his second daughter Gianna was also killed, causing condolences from fans around the world. It was during the 2020 Australian Open, Djokovic spoke in memory of Kobe Bryant through social media: "Thank you for inspiring me and the world, for showing everyone how athletes fight, how to respect sports, and thank you for leaving us the most precious legacy." I will always remember the positive energy transmitted in your smile, and you and your daughter will always live in our hearts! ”
"I'm thankful to him, I've always supported me, I like him, who doesn't? He's a great guy and one of the best basketball players. Kobe's sentence: Novak is my guy. (Novak is my brother) forever in my heart! ”
During the 2020 Australian Open title defense trip, Djokovic wore clothes with KB, 8 and 24 plus love written on it to commemorate Kobe, and Djokovic also successfully won the Australian Open. At the 2020 Australian Open awards ceremony, Djokovic said: "Bryant's passing tells us that we must unite to face all kinds of difficulties, especially with our dear family and friends. ”
After three years, Deyo paid tribute to Kobe again, and Vanessa thanked him
Now, after Djokovic won the US Open after three years, he once again paid tribute to Kobe Bryant, and he also solemnly said: "When he and his second daughter Gianna died a few years ago, it made me very, very sad and hurt. So I think that the number 24 is the number he wore to become a Lakers legend, a world basketball legend, and now I wear this dress, which has a special symbolic meaning, and it will be a great way to commemorate Kobe. ”
Kobe's widow Vanessa replied to Djokovic through social media, also expressing her gratitude: "Thank you very much Djokovic." As for the Lakers' official retweet of Djokovic, it is also written "Mamba spirit".
This inheritance of the Mamba spirit, from Kobe to Djokovic, will continue to embark on a new journey, and will also be passed on to more people, only to offer the most noble tribute!
(Text/Drunken Lying Float)