Lakers News: Novak Djokovic Explains Kobe Bryant Shirt For Record-Tying Major

A legend of his own respective sport, tennis superstar Novak Djokovic decided to punctuate his 24th Grand Slam title with a bit of purple and gold flair to honor his close friend.

Securing the trophy at the U.S. Open over the weekend, the Serbian superstar explained his thought process of commemorating the victory through a touching tribute to his late friend and Laker legend Kobe Bryant

“Kobe was [a] close friend… 24 is the jersey he wore when he became a legend… I thought it could be a nice symbolic thing to acknowledge him.”

Novak Djokovic on his “Mamba Forever” shirt after winning his 24th Grand Slam 🥹

(via @usopen)pic.twitter.com/8dQi1GoHPR
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) September 11, 2023

Appropriately donning the shirt after his 24th overall major win, it's not hard to see the connection of the number of trophies in Djokovic's locker and the similar numerals on Bryant's back in the later stage of his career.

Winning five NBA championships of his own with two Finals MVPs, Bryant achieved similar heights in his own respective sport, taking after his idol in Michael Jordan.

Though the Laker shooting guard wasn't able to live up to the moniker of greatest of all time, he came pretty close to it with his insane Hall of Fame resume and having both of his numbers of 24 and 8 retired for the purple and gold.

Taking advice from the late Bryant, Djokovic's return has been quite the triumph, similar to Bryant's own return from multiple injuries in the final years of his career.

Using the Laker legend as inspiration, the Serbian superstar isn't the only one to have drawn praise and challenged by the former LA great.

In his own sport, Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo described similar feelings to Djokovic after winning the 2021 NBA championship with Milwaukee, citing the challenge to win both an MVP and the Finals given to him by the late Bryant.

An icon in every sense of the word, everyone, athlete or not, can take something from his legendary work ethic and drive to be great.

Are you following us on Twitter, Facebook, or YouTube yet? Join the conversation as we discuss the latest Lakers news and rumors with fans like you!