“Not taken away by success”: Novak Djokovic commends Lionel Messi's great example

Spectacular. It’s a word Novak Djokovic used twice when describing the emotions of witnessing Argentina's Lionel Messi win an elusive World Cup title in person.

“I was really fortunate to be there present. By many people, it's the best World Cup final ever,” Djokovic said Wednesday on the sidelines during a World Tennis League match in Dubai. “What an outstanding finish, the way they won it, the way they were welcomed at home.”

Djokovic and Messi were born just over a month apart in 1987. Both have since gone on to advance the boundaries of athletic supremacy in spectacular ways through their respective fields of play. Even so, it’s the way Messi has conducted himself throughout his evolution into a global icon that resonates most with the Serbian.

“As a sports fan, as a football fan, of course I admire Messi and respect him a lot. I think most of the world is happy with his achievement and what he has managed to do,” Djokovic said.

“Him being humble, a down to earth guy, not taken away by success. All these years is something I feel like serves as a great example to all the children that look up to him, they want to be like him.”

Looking inward, Djokovic hopes he too, is leading by example. It’s a responsibility the 21-time major champion embraces, for sport has the power to communicate with individuals from all walks of life.

“I want to believe that people, especially children and young people, identify themselves with me. I try to have that always, as awareness in everything I do, wherever I go, whatever I say,” he said.

“We as athletes have a huge privilege to have the platform and have that voice. Sport is followed by billions of people around the world. Sport speaks the universal language, it crashes all the borders, I guess.

“Hopefully many kids will grab a tennis racquet because of watching me or other tennis players.”

Djokovic will seek a record-extending 10th Australian Open title when he returns to Melbourne next month. He was expected to face Nick Kyrgios Wednesday in Dubai, though was replaced by Falcons teammate Grigor Dimitrov after determining he wasn’t fit enough to step on court.