On the evening of April 20, 2025, the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid pulsed with raw emotion as Real Madrid clinched a heart-stopping 1-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao, thanks to a 93rd-minute thunderbolt from Federico Valverde. Among the roaring crowd, tennis legend Novak Djokovic, in town for the Mutua Madrid Open, stole the spotlight with a reaction that captured the thrill of the moment. The 24-time Grand Slam champion, seated in the VIP box alongside his son Stefan and family, was left “in a state of shock and intense joy,” his wide-eyed celebration mirroring the euphoria of the Real Madrid faithful. This unforgettable scene, shared widely across social media, underscored Djokovic’s deep connection to football and his flair for embracing the drama of the beautiful game.
Djokovic, who arrived in Madrid early to acclimate to the high-altitude conditions of the upcoming ATP Masters 1000 tournament, was an honored guest of Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez. The Serbian star, fresh off a surprising first-round exit in Monte Carlo, traded the clay courts for the electric atmosphere of the Bernabéu, and he was not disappointed. As the match seemed destined for a stalemate, Valverde’s late strike—a searing shot from outside the box—ignited the stadium. Djokovic, caught on camera, leapt to his feet, mouth agape, hands gesturing wildly as he joined the fans in a collective outpouring of disbelief and delight. “What a celebration!” one post on X exclaimed, capturing the sentiment of thousands who watched the tennis icon revel in the moment.
The 37-year-old’s love for football is no secret. A lifelong fan of AC Milan, Djokovic has also expressed admiration for Manchester United and has frequently attended Real Madrid matches during his Madrid Open campaigns. “I’m a big fan of Milan and I’ll always be,” he once said, crediting his father, a former professional footballer, for instilling a passion for the sport. “For me, football is second only to tennis.” His presence at the Bernabéu wasn’t just a casual outing; it was a chance to immerse himself in the sport’s intensity, something he’s done before alongside rivals like Rafael Nadal during Champions League clashes. In 2016, the duo watched Real Madrid dispatch Manchester City, and in 2022, they witnessed a dramatic comeback against the same opponent. This time, Djokovic’s solo appearance with his family added a personal touch, as young Stefan shared in his father’s unbridled excitement.
The match itself was a testament to Real Madrid’s knack for defying the odds. Athletic Bilbao, a formidable opponent, held firm for 92 minutes, with both sides squandering chances in a tense, physical battle. Valverde’s goal, a moment of individual brilliance, not only secured three crucial La Liga points but also sent a message as Real Madrid chase their 15th Champions League title at Wembley in June. Djokovic, no stranger to high-stakes moments, seemed to relish the parallels between tennis and football’s clutch performances. His animated reaction echoed a 2023 Paris Masters moment
The reaction and joy of Novak Djokovic and his family after Valverde’s goal.
— Real Madrid Info ³⁶ (@RMadridInfo) April 20, 2025