WATCH: Novak Djokovic enjoys a kickabout with football star Neymar in Monte Carlo

Lucy Roberts
Novak Djokovic - Monte Carlo Masters 2022
Novak Djokovic speaks at a press conference

Novak Djokovic is preparing for his second tournament of the season at the Monte Carlo Masters, but it wouldn’t be Monaco without a cross over of celebrities and sports stars.

Paris Saint Germain and international footballing stars Neymar and Marco Verratti hopped across the border to watch Fabio Fogini’s victory over Arthur Rinderknech but they also stopped to see the Serbian.

However as soon as a ball was introduced, the three of them started having a casual kickabout in front of fans and the media, before the world No 1 lost control of the football sized tennis ball and broke the circle they had going.

It’s been reported that the two internationally recognised football stars were given the day off by their club PSG and they opted to watch the opening round tie.

This is the first time Djokovic has played in a tournament since the Dubai Tennis Championships as he wasn’t seen at the Indian Wells Masters or the Miami Open, with speculation suggesting it was due to his unvaccinated status.

However, he has been welcomed into the Monaco-based competition and it’s been confirmed that he will be able to play at Roland Garros for the French Open which gets underway from May 22.

The 20 time Grand Slam winner has revealed the past few months have left a “scar” on him and made a “mark mentally and emotionally.”

But he is optimistic about the rest of the season, as he said: “I still feel motivated to be on the Tour and compete with young guys and try to challenge the best players in the world for the biggest titles.”

The 34-year-old kicks off his Monte Carlo Masters campaign tomorrow when he takes on Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the opening round to get him warmed up for Roland Garros in over a month’s time.