"Minister of happiness gave me delicious present" - Novak Djokovic thanks Ons Jabeur for gifting him his favorite on-court snack during Wimbledon 2024

Seven-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic has shown his appreciation for fellow tennis player Ons Jabeur by thanking her for gifting him his favorite on-court snack amid their ongoing grass-court Grand Slam campaigns. The two players shared a friendly moment in the players’ area, where Jabeur surprised Djokovic with a box of dates.

Djokovic and Jabeur are both aiming to make history at Wimbledon this year. The Serb is chasing his eighth title at the All England Club, which would tie him with Roger Federer for the most men’s singles titles in the tournament’s history.

Djokovic, who underwent knee surgery in June, defeated Czech qualifier Vit Kopriva 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 and British wildcard Jacob Fearnley 6-3, 6-4, 5-7, 7-5 to reach the third round.

Jabeur, on the other hand, is hoping to become the first Arab and first African woman to win Wimbledon, after reaching the final in the past two years. The 10th-seed cruised past Moyuka Uchijima 6-3, 6-1 and Robin Montgomery 6-1, 7-5 to reach the third round.

Novak Djokovic shared a video on his Instagram story on July 5, which showed Ons Jabeur visiting him in the on-site gym at the Wimbledon players’ area, where the Serb was present with his team. With a warm smile, Jabeur presented a box of dates to Djokovic, who accepted the gift with delight. The Tunisian, brimming with excitement, watched as the World No. 2 enjoyed it.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion praised Jabeur as the “minister of happiness” and thanked her for the delicious present.

"Minister of happiness, @onsjabeur, gave me delicious present today. My favorite on court snack - dates. Thank you Ons," The Serb wrote in caption.

Novak Djokovic on Instagarm (instagram.com/djokernole/)

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Novak Djokovic will take on Alexei Popyrin while Ons Jabeur will face Elina Svitolina in Wimbledon 3R

Novak Djokovic at the 2024 Wimbledon Championships

World No. 2 Novak Djokovic will take on Australian Alexei Popyrin in the third round of the 2024 Wimbledon Championships on Saturday (July 6).

Popyrin has beaten Thiago Monteiro 6-4, 6-7(8), 6-3, 6-4 and 30th seed Tomas Martin Etcheverry 3-6, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 in previous rounds. The 24-year-old, who is ranked No.47 in the world, reached the third round at Wimbledon for the first time in his career.

The former World No. 1 has a dominant 2-0 head-to-head record against Popyrin. Their latest meeting was at the second round of the 2024 Australian Open, where the Serb won 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(4), 6-3.

The winner of the two will face either 15th seed Holger Rune or French qualifier Quentin Halys in the Round of 16.

Meanwhile, Ons Jabeur will face 21st seed Elina Svitolina in the third round of the 2024 Wimbledon Championships on the same day.

Svitolina, who reached her second semifinals at SW19 last year, has had a tougher route to the third round, overcoming Magda Linette 7-5, 6-7(9), 6-3 and Jule Niemeier 6-3, 6-4 in the previous rounds.

Jabeur will be looking to improve her record against Svitolina, who leads their head-to-head 3-1. The last time they met at the quarterfinals of the 2021 Chicago Fall Tennis Classic, the former defeated the latter 6-4, 6-2.

The winner between Jabeur and Svitolina will face either Harriet Dart or Wang Xinyu in the Round of 16.