Novak Đoković thrills New York with WWE entrance, three-pointers and Lionel Messi meeting before final

Novak Đoković thrills New York with WWE entrance and three three-pointers ahead of World Cup final

Novak Đoković has once again shown that his public performances do not have to end on the tennis court. The Serbian tennis player attracted enormous attention on July 18 at Fanatics Fest in New York, where he made an entrance inspired by WWE spectacles in front of the crowd and then sank three consecutive three-pointers in a basketball challenge. The footage quickly spread across social media, and one of the clips was also published on the NBA league's official profile. The event took place ahead of the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina, scheduled for July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford. Just days after completing his Wimbledon campaign, Đoković thus became one of the most prominent participants at a sports festival that brought together numerous famous figures from different disciplines.

Fanatics Fest 2026 is being held from July 16 to 19 at the Javits Convention Center in Manhattan. According to FIFA's official announcement, this year's edition was organized in direct connection with the World Cup's final weekend, featuring a large exhibition zone, appearances by sports stars, collectible attractions, interactive challenges and a public screening of the final match. The festival has therefore become much more than a sports equipment and memorabilia fair: it has been transformed into a major stage where elite sport, entertainment and digital culture overlap. It was precisely in such an environment that Đoković's talent for improvisation proved particularly effective.

WWE entrance with a mask and professional wrestling gestures

He first appeared in an area designed like an entrance ramp for professional wrestling. According to an India Today report and footage published by Fanatics, Đoković wore a mask associated with WWE star Penta, while music used for Jacob Fatu's appearances played in the background. Instead of a conventional sporting introduction, the 39-year-old tennis player embraced the theatrical nature of professional wrestling: he greeted spectators, exchanged high-fives, delivered a loud shout and concluded the performance with a pose inspired by Roman Reigns. The crowd reacted as though they were witnessing the entrance of a real fighter, and the entire scene further emphasized how heavily today's major sporting events rely on elements of spectacle.

Throughout his career, Đoković has frequently demonstrated a fondness for impersonations, humor and direct interaction with the audience. In New York, he adapted that side of his personality to a crowd that was simultaneously following tennis, basketball, American football, professional wrestling and the football World Cup. He did not attempt to present the performance as a serious move into a new discipline, but rather as a brief act combining recognizable sporting symbols. It was precisely this willingness to participate without excessive distance or formality that helped the footage attract attention far beyond tennis circles. At a time when content from major events spreads almost instantly, a few dozen seconds of well-conceived entertainment can become just as visible as an official panel or conference.

The WWE aesthetic was a logical part of the Fanatics Fest program, where athletes and celebrities take part in challenges outside their usual fields. Đoković's entrance was not a competitive segment, but it demonstrated that he understands the rhythm of such events: a brief setup, a recognizable visual element and a clear final gesture for the crowd and the cameras. The organizers presented the clip with a message suggesting the arrival of a major star, and the spectators' reactions confirmed that the surprise had succeeded. For a tennis player who has been accustomed to walking out in front of packed stadiums for more than two decades, the change of scenery clearly presented no problem.

Three consecutive three-pointers delight the crowd

After the wrestling entrance, Đoković tried his hand on the basketball court. He stood behind the three-point line and made three consecutive shots, showing no visible nervousness as the reactions from those gathered grew increasingly loud. The NBA league's official profile shared the footage with a brief note stating that the tennis star had made three straight three-pointers at Fanatics Fest. The post further accelerated the spread of the video, while social media users jokingly began comparing him with famous NBA shooters, especially Stephen Curry.

Three consecutive baskets in an entertainment challenge are not proof of the basketball ability of a professional player, but they once again highlighted the coordination, balance and movement control that Đoković has developed over years of tennis. A three-point shot requires a different technique from a tennis stroke, but a stable body position, a sense of distance and repeatability of movement are common to many elite sports. Đoković appeared increasingly relaxed after each basket, and the third shot turned the brief challenge into a viral moment. The crowd reacted not only to the accuracy, but also to the fact that an athlete from one discipline had convincingly embraced a task from another.

Such transitions between sports are one of the main reasons Fanatics Fest attracts a broad audience. Visitors do not come merely to see famous figures on stage, but also to observe how they react outside the controlled conditions of professional competition. In Đoković's case, the result was a combination of competitive instinct and entertainment. Even when no sporting trophy is at stake, his reaction after making a shot shows how important the feeling of successfully completing a task is to him. That detail is familiar to spectators who have followed throughout his career the way he converts the crowd's energy into additional motivation.

According to media reports from the event, Đoković also tried a punching-bag challenge connected with UFC content, alongside other famous guests. Nevertheless, the three three-pointers and the WWE entrance became the most recognizable clips from his appearance. The reason is simple: both moments were visually clear, brief and understandable to audiences regardless of language or familiarity with the rules of a particular sport. In the global digital environment, such content has a major advantage because it can be shared without additional explanation.

Conversation with Lionel Messi about the pressure of major competitions

Đoković's time at the festival was not limited to entertaining challenges. A day earlier, he took part in a special program ahead of the World Cup final, during which questions were put to footballers and coaches by stars from other sports. The Associated Press reported that Lionel Messi, Novak Đoković, Tom Brady and Kevin Durant were among those who appeared on stage. The concept replaced a traditional press conference with a conversation between athletes who are highly familiar with the pressure of the biggest competitions. This gave the meeting between Đoković and Messi substance that went beyond the usual celebrity photo opportunity.

Đoković asked the Argentine captain how he had learned to shut out external pressure and remain faithful to his own style of play. According to an NDTV report, Messi responded that he had never viewed pressure too much as a separate problem, but rather as a natural part of stepping onto the field, enjoying the game and competing. He also emphasized that, over time, he had learned that in sport one loses far more often than one wins, and that understanding this fact had helped him mature as a player and as a person. After the answer, Đoković thanked him in Spanish, bringing the conversation to a simple conclusion without additional dramatization.

The question was not accidental. For decades, Đoković and Messi have competed under the pressure that follows athletes with record-breaking achievements, huge numbers of supporters and a constant expectation of victory. Both have faced debates during their careers about where they rank among the greatest athletes of all time, as well as the reality that every defeat is analyzed in far greater detail than those of most of their rivals. Đoković therefore approached Messi from the perspective of someone who understands the subject, rather than merely from the role of a host. Their conversation was one of the rare moments in which the public could hear one elite athlete ask another a question that was clearly relevant to his own career as well.

Messi attended the event as Argentina's captain ahead of the final against Spain. FIFA confirmed that the match would be played on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 3 p.m. local time. Argentina enter the final as defending champions, while Spain are the reigning European champions. The Associated Press reported that Messi said before the match that his team would give everything it had, while Spanish captain Rodri highlighted the greatness of the Argentine star. The presence of Đoković, Brady and Durant further demonstrated that the final was not merely a football event, but a global sporting spectacle attracting the biggest names from other disciplines.

Fanatics Fest as an extension of the World Cup's final weekend

In April, FIFA announced an official partnership with Fanatics Fest and stated that the organization would have a strong presence throughout the four-day program at the Javits Center. According to that announcement, the objective was to connect sport, culture and entertainment and to provide the public with experiences beyond the stadium itself. Official pre-final conferences were held as part of the festival, football exhibits were presented and programs connected with the World Cup were organized. A major indoor public screening of the final in New York was also announced for July 19.

Such a format reflects the changing way in which audiences follow the biggest competitions. The concluding stage of a tournament no longer unfolds only during the 90 minutes of a match, but encompasses days of public appearances, digital content, concerts, collectible editions and meetings with supporters. At the same time, organizers seek to attract visitors who do not have a stadium ticket but still want to participate in the atmosphere of the final weekend. In that sense, Fanatics Fest served as a central location in Manhattan, while the final was played across the Hudson River in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Đoković's appearance fit that concept perfectly. His sporting record attracts a tennis audience, his conversation with Messi connects him with the World Cup final, the WWE entrance appeals to professional wrestling fans, and the basketball challenge provides content picked up by the NBA. One person thus connected four major sporting markets in several brief segments. This also explains why organizers of major festivals are increasingly interested in athletes whose recognition extends beyond results in their primary discipline.

From Wimbledon defeat to a new appearance in New York

Đoković arrived in New York following another deep run at a Grand Slam tournament. At Wimbledon on July 10, he lost in the semifinals to Jannik Sinner 6-4, 6-4, 6-4. After the match, the ATP reported his assessment that reaching the final four was a good result, but not sufficient according to the standards he had set for himself. At the same time, he acknowledged that Sinner had been better and that he had failed to pose a more serious threat to his game. The defeat postponed another opportunity to claim a 25th Grand Slam title.

Despite discussions about the final stage of his career, Đoković has not announced an imminent departure from tennis. After the semifinal, Wimbledon reported his desire to return to the tournament's Centre Court at least one more time, meaning that he continues to have competitive goals. The next Grand Slam on the calendar is the US Open, whose main singles tournament officially begins on August 30. New York will therefore soon become his sporting center once again, but this time without masks, basketballs and entertainment challenges.

His record of 24 Grand Slam titles in men's singles still keeps him at the top of the historic ATP standings, according to the official ATP Tour profile. At the age of 39, every subsequent tournament is simultaneously viewed as a new opportunity and a possible final stage of an exceptionally long career. That is why even relaxed public appearances receive additional attention: audiences want to see what Đoković looks like outside the strict rhythm of training, matches and post-defeat press conferences. Fanatics Fest offered precisely that image, without any need for major statements about the future.

A viral moment that crossed the boundaries of tennis

The reactions to Đoković's three-pointers and WWE entrance show how sporting popularity is now built on several parallel levels. Results remain the foundation of his status, but footage from the festival reaches audiences through a different route from a tennis match broadcast. A short video can be watched even by someone who rarely follows tennis, while a post by the NBA's official profile gives the content additional credibility and reach. Within several hours, a sporting demonstration with no competitive significance became one of the most prominent stories of the World Cup's final weekend.

It is important, however, to maintain perspective regarding the event. Đoković's three three-pointers were not a sporting record, and the WWE entrance was not a professional match. Their value lay in their spontaneity, execution and ability to surprise the audience for a moment. Such content succeeds when a famous person accepts the rules of the spectacle while retaining his own character. Đoković did so without excessive seriousness, yet with enough precision for his actions to be discussed beyond the venue.

As Argentina and Spain prepared for the biggest match in international football, New York became a gathering place for sports stars from around the world. In that atmosphere, Đoković first asked Messi a serious question about pressure, and then entertained the audience the following day with a masked entrance and a series of successful shots. That combination best describes his appearance at Fanatics Fest: respect for the magnitude of the sporting moment, but also a willingness to step away from formality. For the audience, the result was simple - several memorable scenes demonstrating that one of the most successful tennis players in history is also highly capable outside his usual boundaries.

Sources:
- FIFA - official information on the 2026 World Cup final between Spain and Argentina on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium (link)
- FIFA - announcement of the official partnership with Fanatics Fest and the program from July 16 to 19 at the Javits Center (link)
- Fanatics Fest - official information about the festival program and content connected with the World Cup final (link)
- Associated Press - report from the special program ahead of the final and the conversation between sports stars and Lionel Messi (link)
- India Today - description of Đoković's WWE entrance, three consecutive three-pointers and other challenges at Fanatics Fest (link)
- NDTV Sports - the content of the question Đoković asked Messi and a summary of Messi's answer about pressure (link)
- ATP Tour - official report on Đoković's semifinal defeat by Jannik Sinner at Wimbledon 2026 and his reaction after the match (link)
- US Open - official announcement of the dates of the 2026 main tournament, which begins on August 30 (link)