Novak Djokovic asks Serena Williams question mid-match and gets four-word response

Serena Williams watched Novak Djokovic book his spot in the Miami Open quarter-final.

There was a star-studded crowd in attendance for Novak Djokovic’s match against Lorenzo Musetti in Miami on Tuesday night. Andy Murray has become a familiar figure in the Serb’s coaching box after joining his team in the off-season but 2009 US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro was also invited to watch.

Unbeknownst to Djokovic, another retired legend turned up for his match – Serena Williams was spotted courtside during his victory over Musetti. Once he realised the 23-time Grand Slam champion was in attendance, Djokovic asked Williams an important question mid-match and got a brief response.

Djokovic booked his spot in the quarter-final of the Miami Open with a statement performance against Musetti. After going an early break down, the No. 4 seed won the next nine games in a row and advanced with a 6-2 6-2 victory.

The six-time former champion in Miami was surprised to see Williams sitting near the court during his round-of-16 match. And after hitting an impressive passing shot, he had to get her approval.

“I was starstruck,” Djokovic said after Williams and Del Potro watched him book his spot in the last eight.

“I mean, it was amazing to see first Delpo, obviously a long-time friend and a rival. So happy to have him around and to get his support from the box.

“It was amazing, it was the first time to have Delpo in the box. I want to thank him really for coming.”

Turning his attention to surprise guest Williams, the Serb added: “And Serena, you know, that was a surprise. I didn’t know.

“Actually, when I had that down-the-line passing shot, I pointed to her and asked her if it was okay and she kind of said, ‘Yeah, it was fine’. You know, if Serena says it was fine, then it was amazing by everyone else’s standards!”

“Actually, when I had that down-the-line passing shot, I pointed to her and asked her if it was okay and she kind of said, ‘Yeah, it was fine’. You know, if Serena says it was fine, then it was amazing by everyone else’s standards!”

“I’m really grateful that he cares about me, that he cares about me doing well on the court,” he told Sky Sports.

“It’s still surreal in some tense to be honest that one of my biggest rivals and he’s fist-pumping and jumping around the box. Sometimes I pinch myself and ask myself, ‘Is this real? Is this a dream?’”

Djokovic will hope to carry his form into the quarter-final, where he faces Sebastian Korda. The pair have met once before in the 2023 Adelaide International final, where Djokovic saved a championship point to lift the title