Mourinho’s special petition to Djokovic in Rome

Jose Mourinho entered the Foro Italico and went directly to the players’ area to greet and hug each other with Novak Djokovic. The Roma coach later saw how the Serbian successfully began the defense of the Masters 1000 ATP champion title that is played in the Italian capital.

‘Nole’ beat the Argentine Tomas Martin Etcheverry by 7-6 (5) and 6-2, qualifying for the third round, this Sunday against the Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov.

‘Mou’ had work the day before, from the Europa League. Roma beat Bayern Leverkusen 1-0 Xabi Alonso.

Djokovic He is a football fan, although his team is Milan, whom he had seen this week losing at the San Siro to Inter by 0-2, in the first leg of the Champions League semifinals.

Mourinho y Djokovic They had already met several times in Madrid or Wimbledon and the ATP Finals when ‘The Special One’ trained the white team or Chelsea.

“I’ve met him more times in the past. He came to see me play in London, especially the ATP Finals when they were held there and he trained in England,” Djokovic said.

“He is a great tennis fan, of course one of the greatest football coaches we have not only today, but in history. I am very flattered that he comes to watch my matches. He is a very nice person. He was always very kind to me and my team,” he added.

The coach had one last request for Djokovic, whom he congratulated in the locker room. Before going home, the Portuguese requested that the current tennis world No. 1 (until the end of the tournament) sign the cap that he had been wearing all day.

“I hope I can return the favor and go see his team (Roma) when he’s training because I don’t think he’s ever done it. Maybe when he was at Real Madrid. ‘The Special One’ came to see me, so I’m very happy “, concluded ‘Nole’.