Novak Djokovic wore the jersey of NBA MVP and fellow Serbian Nikola Jokic while preparing for his French Open semifinal

• Novak Djokovic wore fellow Serbian Nikola Jokic's jersey during a practice at the French Open.
• Djokovic congratulated Jokic on winning MVP and wished him luck in the NBA playoffs.
• Djokovic, who will face Rafa Nadal in the French Open semifinal, hung out with Jokic last summer.

Novak Djokovic donned the jersey of his fellow countryman Nikola Jokic while preparing for his French Open semifinal against Rafael Nadal.

Djokovic wore Jokic's jersey while practicing on Thursday, ahead of the Friday match. He posted not one, but two congratulations to Jokic, who was named the NBA's MVP for the 2020-21 season on Wednesday.

"M-V-P! M-V-P!" Djokovic said on a video he posted to Twitter. "This is for my friend Nikola Jokic, the Joker. Congratulations for your MVP. Well deserved. Sending you big regards from Paris, Rolland-Garros. I'm carrying you with me today on the practice, and hopefully bringing you luck on the playoffs."

Djokovic also posted a congratulations on Instagram, sending a message in Serbian to the Denver Nuggets' big man. Djokovic grew up in Belgrade, Serbia, while Jokic grew up in Sombor.

Jokic and the Nuggets are facing the Phoenix Suns in the second round of the playoffs. They currently trail 0-2 in the series as they head back to Denver for Games 3 and 4.

Djokovic, meanwhile, is competing for the French Open final, where he'd look to win his 19th Grand Slam. He'll have to beat Nadal, the king of Roland-Garros with 13 titles, to get there. With a win at the tournament, Nadal would move past Roger Federer for the most Grand Slams.

While Jokic doesn't appear to have social media, the Nuggets posted a good-luck message to Djokovic in return.

It's unclear when Djokovic and Jokic first met, but they have spent time together. Last summer, for instance, they both attended a basketball camp in Belgrade. Consequently, the two both later tested positive for COVID-19.