- Novak Djokovic enjoyed a casual game of soccer on Friday at Indian Wells
- He will begin his tournament on Saturday vs. Australian Aleksandar Vukic
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
Cristiano Ronaldo’s iconic ‘siu’ celebration is beloved by soccer fans worldwide – including Novak Djokovic, who mimicked the Portuguese star during a kickaround at Indian Wells.
The Serbian is in California to participate in the BNP Paribas Open, which he last won in 2016.
But he got a casual game of soccer in on Friday before beginning his tournament, with a video posted to X on Friday showing him scoring past fellow tennis star Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Djokovic passed the ball into the net around Tsitsipas’ leg before wheeling away in celebration and channeling his inner Ronaldo.
In fact, the world No. 1 also appeared to imitate Chelsea great Didier Drogba, as he pulsed his arms by his sides before doing the ‘siu.’
![Novak Djokovic goal celebration](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/09/01/82243327-13175945-Novak_Djokovic_goal_celebration-a-39_1709947924284.jpg)
Novak Djokovic emulated Cristiano Ronaldo as he celebrated a goal in a small-sided match
![Messi's biggest rival is Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, who popularized the 'SIU' celebration](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/09/01/74514157-13175945-Messi_s_biggest_rival_is_Portugal_s_Cristiano_Ronaldo_who_popula-a-38_1709947875903.jpg)
Ronaldo is known for his iconic ‘siu’ goal celebration, which he’s done since 2013
Djokovic was also seen playing soccer on Wednesday – and again did Ronaldo’s celebration after scoring.
‘It was a lot of fun,’ Tsitsipas told the Tennis Channel of the small-sided game on Friday. ‘I kind of lost myself within the game.’
It’s not the first time a major athlete has emulated Ronaldo, as Bucks star and Nashville SC minority owner Giannis Antetokounmpo did the ‘siu’ before the MLS club faced Inter Miami in the Leagues Cup Final last summer.
Ronaldo has been doing the celebration since 2013, when he was playing for Real Madrid.
![Novak Djokovic](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/09/01/82243325-13175945-Novak_Djokovic-a-40_1709947929899.jpg)
![Didier Drogba](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/09/01/82243819-13175945-image-m-33_1709947805270.jpg)
Djokovic also appeared to mimic the famous goal celebration of Chelsea great Didier Drogba
He’s since brought it with him to Juventus, Manchester United and Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, where he currently plays.
He’s had plenty to celebrate this season as he’s scored 22 league goals.
Djokovic will begin his tournament on Saturday vs. unseeded Australian Aleksandar Vukic.
Tsitsipas, meanwhile, won his first match on Friday vs. Frenchman Lucas Pouille, claiming a 6-3, 6-2 win.
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