Green Bay Packers’ star quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, had a dream come true as he joined the crowd at the US Open to witness Novak Djokovic’s triumphant journey to the quarterfinals with a straight-sets victory over Borna Gojo. The New York Jets’ quarterback, known for his love of sports, confessed that it had always been his aspiration to watch the world No. 2 tennis player in action up close.
Rodgers took to his Instagram to share the excitement of the moment, posting a series of stories from his day at the prestigious tennis event. One of his stories featured a captivating shot of Djokovic in full swing, accompanied by the caption: “Bucket list being able to witness the greatness of @djokernole in person at #arthurashestadium.”
Rodgers, who made headlines last year due to his statements about his Covid-19 vaccination status, also took a lighthearted jab at Djokovic’s well-known stance on Covid vaccines. Using the “goat” emoji, he playfully added “#novaxdjokovic” while even crossing out the Moderna advertising prominently displayed at the event.
Djokovic, who remains unvaccinated against Covid-19, made his return to the US Open after missing the 2021 edition, following the lifting of the Covid vaccine requirement for non-US travelers earlier this year.
In a thrilling match watched by football royalty like Rodgers, Djokovic displayed his mastery, securing a decisive 6-2, 7-5, 6-4 victory in a brisk two hours and 26 minutes. The 23-time grand slam champion is now poised to pursue his first US Open title since 2018, and his stellar performances in the championship suggest he’s in prime form to achieve this goal.
Djokovic’s next challenge in the quarterfinals is set to be against Taylor Fritz, a beloved figure among the home crowd. Djokovic recognizes the test ahead, acknowledging Fritz’s consistent status as a Top 10 player and his recent impressive showings in American hard-court tournaments. He expressed his readiness for the challenges that lie ahead in the tournament, as he continues his quest for another US Open triumph.