Novak Djokovic accused of sneaky act during 24th grand slam title celebrations

Eagle-eyed tennis fans have spotted a curious detail in Novak Djokovic's celebratory '24' jacket from his US Open triumph that suggests he probably had it ready to go at Wimbledon. Djokovic captured his 24th career grand slam title on Sunday - equalling the all-time record of Australian great Margaret Court.

The World No.1 and his entourage all donned jackets with the number 24 on them during the post-match ceremony, to signify the historic achievement. However many have pointed out that the colours on the 24 badge suggest his team had produced the jackets in case he won Wimbledon earlier this year.

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The jackets were all white, and the numbers of the 24 were green - two colours you'd associated with the All England Club. Djokovic made it all the way to the Wimbledon final in July, but lost the decider to Carlos Alcaraz.

There's no doubt Djokovic's team would have had the jackets ready to go at Wimbledon in case he beat Alcaraz in the final. Nevertheless, fans were happy to point out the funny detail after the presentation ceremony at the US Open on Sunday.

"Who wants to bet that Djokovic's 24 grand slam jacket is white because it was meant for Wimbledon, wasn't used so the kept it for now," one fan wrote on social media. Another commented: "Djokovic probably had that shirt and jacket in his bag at Wimbledon. And then Alcaraz went and spoiled the party."

A third wrote: "Was totally made for Wimbledon. It's all white. Alcaraz just delayed his opportunity to wear it. Djokovic knew damn well he was getting to 24. He probably has jackets with 25 and 26 already made for him." While another added: "So, no one’s gonna talk about the fact that Novak Djokovic recycled his 24-Slam custom jacket from Wimbledon?"

Novak Djokovic has no plans to retire from tennis just yet

Djokovic has well-and-truly ended the debate around who the greatest male tennis player of all time is. The 36-year-old is now two grand slams clear of Rafa Nadal (22) and four ahead of the retired Roger Federer (20>

Djokovic's coach Goran Ivanisevic even revealed on Sunday that the Serbian star might play on until at least the Olympics in 2028 when he would be 41. "Occasionally asking myself, 'Why do I need this still at this stage after all I have done', you know? How long do I want to keep going? I do have these questions in my head," Djokovic said in his post-tournament press conference.

"Knowing that I play at such a high level still and I win the biggest tournaments in this sport ... I don't want to leave this sport if I'm still at the top."

Djokovic will now head to the Australian Open in January as the red-hot favourite to surpass Court and win grand slam No.25. "I don't put any number right now in my mind on how many slams I want to win until the end of my career. I don't really have any number," he said.

"I'll continue to prioritise them as my most important tournaments and where I want to play the best tennis. So that will not change. That will stay the same in the next season or I don't know how many more seasons I have in my legs. So let's see.

"I was probably not thinking so intensely and concretely about the history of the weeks at No.1 or most slams until maybe three years ago. Then I realised, OK, I'm quite close for weeks in No.1. I also have a pretty good chance at the grand slams (record) if I keep healthy and if I'm playing well.

"Of course the slams at that point seemed a little bit less reachable than weeks of No.1, but I believed. I believed that I'll make it."

with AAP

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