‘I Hope They Win Their First Ring’

Both men are Serbian sports heroes and both are nicknamed “Joker.”

And across the next two weeks, both are bidding to make history.

Novak Djokovic is seeking his record 23rd Grand Slam singles title at Roland Garros, while Nikola Jokic is seeking his first NBA championship and the first in the history of the Denver Nuggets. The Nuggets are a 4/1 favorite against the Miami Heat, with Game 1 set for Thursday in Denver (8:30 p.m., ABC).

“Go Jokic, go Denver all the way,” Djokovic, 36, said after his second-round win Wednesday over Marton Fucsovics in straight sets.

He added: “I really like Jimmy Butler, I think he’s a great guy, I admire him a lot. I’m a big basketball fun, I know he’s been coming to watch some of the tennis tournaments in the States. But I gotta support my man Joker, so I hope they win their first ring.”

A week ago, Jokic, 28, praised Djokovic as a hero to all Serbians.

“He’s the guy who represents Serbia in a much bigger scene,” Jokic said. “He’s the Serbian ambassador. He’s the idol to the kids in Serbia not just for the things on the court but [also] for the things his foundation is doing

“I want to be like him. He’s doing something great for kids, for Serbia, for everything. We cannot be compared.”

During an interview this week on Tennis Channel, Djokovic responded to Jokic’s comment.

“The Sombor Shuffles,” he said. “I actually watched it half an hour ago on the NBA Instagram page. They’ve posted some of his shots he makes one foot going backward over AD and LeBron, I mean, it’s incredible. He’s the MVP for me, for sure.

“I don’t think anyone can do what he’s doing at the moment in basketball. He’s definitely the best basketball player in the world,” Djokovic continued. “I cheer for him greatly, he’s an amazing guy, he’s the pride of Serbia, we’re so proud of him, we hope he can win his first ring.”

Even though Jokic doesn’t have Djokovic’s number, the tennis star said he recently received Jokic’s.

“I’m flattered, honestly. I saw his interview a week or so ago, and I’m really grateful,” Djokovic said. “We haven’t been in touch, actually, I just got his number yesterday, so I’ll text him,” he said. “It’s difficult to get his number these days. I want to text him to say thank you because he really touched me with his wonderful words.

“I feel the same [way] about him, to be honest. I think he’s so humble, he’s such a simple guy. He comes into one of the most popular sports and leagues in the world and just dominates for three years, it’s just incredible. Listening to LeBron, AD, and all these guys that talk about him, [Joel] Embiid, [Giannis] Antetokounmpo, and how much praise they’ve got for him, it makes me proud.”

Across the next two weeks, both Serbian stars will attempt to make history.