"He's good, he's being himself": Manchester City footballer Erling Haaland calls Novak Djokovic his hero from another sport

Football star Erling Haaland has revealed reasons behind admiration for the legendary tennis star Novak Djokovic.

The 36-year-old is often regarded as the greatest player in the history of men’s tennis in the singles category in the Open era, having won as many as 24 Grand Slam titles.

Haaland, who currently plays for English Premier League side Manchester City, was recently quoted in a report where he highlighted reasons behind admiration for Djokovic.

“I’ve never seen in the history of tennis someone who is on top of their game at 36, as much as they were at 26, 28. It’s a whole career of being at the top,” he said.

“He had one or two difficult years, but most of his career he’s been at the top of his game, even though he played in the same era as Roger and Rafa, which says even more about how an incredible, dominant player he is.

“I think the famous debate about who is the GOAT, I guess, is completely dead now after this incredible year, three more Grand Slams, plus one final. He has the record almost everywhere of all – number of Masters 1000s, number of weeks No 1, number of Grand Slams – and he’s still playing, he’s still at the top.”