Novak Djokovic is the guy you look up to, I want to be like him: Nikola Jokic

Novak Djokovic is one of the best ambassadors Serbia could have asked for, feels NBA superstar Nikola Jokic, who hopes be can be like the 22-time Grand Slam champion in the years to come.

Representing the Denver Nuggets, Jokic led his team into the NBA Finals for the first time ever in franchise history. The Nuggets completed a 4-0 rout of the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday in the Western Conference Finals. Jokic scored 30 points in the 113-111 win, also setting a record for total triple-doubles in a single playoffs with eight.

Speaking at a press conference after his stunning performance, Nikola Jokic was asked about his fellow Serbian, during which he lavished praise on Djokovic. He hailed the former World No. 1 for being an idol for kids in their home country, both due to his dominance on the court as well as his charitable work off it.

"I don't have his number, to be honest, but he is the guy who represents Serbia in a much bigger scene. He is a Serbian ambassador,” Jokic said. “He’s really an idol to the kids in Serbia and not just on the court, but in the things his foundation is doing. He is the guy you can look up to, I want to be like him. He's doing something great for kids, for Serbia, for everything. We cannot be compared.

Novak Djokovic set to fight for 23rd Grand Slam at French Open

2020 Australian Open - Day 14

Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic will be hoping to win his 23rd Grand Slam at the upcoming French Open, where he will be the No. 3 seed. The 36-year-old surrendered his World No. 1 spot to Carlos Alcaraz just this week, having failed to defend his title at the Italian Open.

With Daniil Medvedev winning the title in Rome, the Russian moved ahead of the 22-time Grand Slam champion as well, pushing him to the third spot. As a result, the Serb could potentially face Alcaraz in the semifinals at Roland Garros, one match earlier than he would have liked.

Last year, Novak Djokovic lost out in the quarterfinals of the French Open, falling to eventual winner Rafael Nadal. Nadal will not be in Paris this time around to defend his title as he continues to recover from the hip injury he sustained at the Australian Open at the start of the year.

A title run at Roland Garros could make the World No. 3 the first man in history to complete the Triple Career Grand Slam -- winning every Major at least three times each. In addition to two titles in Paris, Djokovic has won 10 titles at the Australian Open, seven at Wimbledon and three at the US Open.