Novak Djokovic has a bet with Ion Tiriac - the former French Open champion who is now a billionaire - after winning the 2024 Olympics.
The world men's tennis legend defeated Carlos Alcaraz 7-6, 7-6 to win the gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics earlier this month.
Besides the celebrations after the victory over the Spanish opponent, a bet between Djokovic and businessman Tiriac was made during a phone call. This former tennis player himself revealed in an interview with welovetennis.
Tiriac - who won the French Open in 1970 in the men's doubles - shared about Djokovic's beginning when he had to go to Romania, because the cost of playing this sport in his hometown of Belgrade was very expensive.
"'Baby' Djokovic trained in Romania when he first started, traveling 80 km every day because the cost in Belgrade was too expensive," said the 85-year-old man.
After making billions in the banking industry before moving into insurance, car rentals, car dealerships and airlines, Tiriac revealed he bet with Djokovic after his victory in Paris.
But the Romanian billionaire, who has a net worth of $2.1 billion (£1.6 billion), is tight-lipped about the details surrounding the bet.
"I invited him to the tournament in Bucharest twice. I know him very well. He is a very nice person. In fact, I called him after his victory at the Olympic Games in Paris and told him: 'Young man, old tennis player'.
I also took this opportunity to bet with him, but unfortunately, I can't tell you more about that (laughs)."
Djokovic has a significant net worth, with around £180 million from his tennis career and endorsement deals. But the financial numbers, or “rewards,” surrounding his and Tiriac's bet remain a mystery.
In a previous interview, Tiriac was asked about his thoughts on Roger Federer, whom he has always had the utmost respect for despite not being too familiar with each other.
"I don't really know Federer very well, but he always respects me. Like other stars in the tournament, he calls me boss," he said.
Tiriac admitted that he believes the Swiss superstar belongs on a "different level" than Rafael Nadal and Djokovic, despite having fewer Grand Slams than both players: "I really believe that he belongs on a different level." If you compare him to Nadal or Djokovic for example, he is a player who invented things on the tennis court that never existed before.
Physically he is a little behind Djokovic and Nadal, but there is no doubt about his talent."
