ATP Tour

Djokovic throws first pitch, meets Yankees' Judge: 'He's humongous'

Prior to his quest for a fifth US Open title, Novak Djokovic took centre stage on the baseball mound at Yankee Stadium on Thursday night.

Sporting a white sleeve on his arm, the 38-year-old Serbian delivered the ceremonial first pitch before the New York Yankees clashed against the Boston Red Sox.

Novak Djokovic throws out the 1st pitch at Yankee Stadium! pic.twitter.com/CVpzNuSXFk

— MLB (@MLB) August 22, 2025

Djokovic, the former No. 1 player in the PIF ATP Rankings, also posed with Yankees star Aaron Judge, who is a seven-time MLB All-Star and two-time American League MVP winner.

As well as trading one of his racquets with Judge for a signed baseball bat, Djokovic posed with Yankees players Austin Wells and Anthony Volpe, blending the world of tennis and baseball in an unforgettable crossover.

“It was a great experience,” Djokovic said Friday in his pre-tournament media interview at the US Open. “I want to thank the Yankees organization for making it possible for me. It was my first baseball experience overall. First time visiting any baseball game.

“It was a packed house, almost 50,000 people. Obviously big rivalry. Probably biggest rivalry you have in the baseball, with Red Sox and Yankees. Got that privilege to be able to access the locker room and meet Aaron Judge and the guys. So impressed with Aaron particularly and his size. I mean, he's humongous. I mean, incredible. He was very nice. I gave him a racquet, signed racquet, and he gave me a bat.”

Although Djokovic's first pitch didn't find it into the catcher's glove without a bounce, he was satisfied with the delivery and said he was now a baseball fan.

“I was warming up with one of the guys for that pitch. It was in the level ground," Djokovic said. "Then once I got to go throw the first pitch, I was on elevated ground, like a little hill. I didn't throw that accurate, but it still wasn't as embarrassing I think as some of the other guys I saw in the past (smiling).

“Yeah, it was fun... I was treated very nicely, and I was very honoured to be there. To be honest, I became a fan. I didn't follow baseball that much, didn't know what to think of it, to be honest. But since yesterday, I really became a fan.”

Having not competed since reaching the Wimbledon semi-final five weeks ago, Djokovic will return to action at the US Open against #NextGenATP American Learner Tien, which will be the pair’s first Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting.

Djokovic, who is chasing a record 25th major title and first since he triumphed in New York in 2023, is seeded to meet World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz in the semi-finals at Flushing Meadows.