Jannik Sinner is gearing up to face Novak Djokovic in the semifinals of the Six Kings Slam 2025. While Djokovic received a bye into the final four, Sinner powered past Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets. The Italian has been one of the most dominant players of the season, clinching titles in Melbourne, Wimbledon, and Beijing with wins over Alexander Zverev, Carlos Alcaraz, and Learner Tien. But even with that remarkable run, it still isn’t enough for Shaquille O’Neal to call him the GOAT. Why, you ask?

The “greatest of all time” debate is as old as sports itself, and in tennis, it always comes down to the legendary Big Three: Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic. But for NBA icon Shaquille O’Neal, the choice is clear. To him, the 24-time Grand Slam champion stands alone at the top. Sitting alongside Djokovic and UFC president Dana White at the Joy Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, during the Six Kings Slam, the former Los Angeles Lakers star couldn’t help but gush about the Serbian great, calling Novak Djokovic the “Greatest of All Time.”

Just a few hours ago, in a clip shared by SK shared on X, Shaquille O’Neal, who suited up for NBA teams like the Orlando Magic, Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Boston Celtics, couldn’t hide his admiration while speaking about Novak Djokovic. “I’m sitting next to two icons, Dana White and the greatest, the GOAT of tennis,” Shaq said. The former Lakers center added, “You know, there are a lot of names you can throw into that conversation, but I’ve known this guy for a while. He’s definitely the GOAT.”

Recalling his very first meeting with Novak Djokovic, the 53-year-old shared a moment that instantly bonded the two champions. “I remember the first time we met each other. He looked, I looked, but we didn’t know each other. We just smiled and gave each other a big hug,” O’Neal said with a grin. The Newark native, who spent 19 seasons dominating the NBA, added, “I was like, oh my God, it’s nice to meet you.”

O’Neal further went on to admit that despite being one of the biggest names in basketball, he’s still a fan at heart, especially when it comes to Djokovic. “Even though I am who I am, I’m still a fan,” he said. “So, I didn’t know that the great guy from tennis knew who I was. He looked at me and said, ‘Shaq,’ and I was like, ‘Djokovic, you know who I am?’ He said, ‘You know who I am?’ And we just hugged. We’ve been friends ever since.”

But while Shaq’s admiration for Novak Djokovic runs deep, the Serb remains laser-focused on chasing a record 25th Grand Slam title, a milestone that still narrowly eludes him. Djokovic reached the semifinals at all four majors this year and made another deep run in Shanghai before falling to qualifier Valentin Vacherot in straight sets. Still, the 38-year-old celebrated his 100th career title earlier in Geneva and his 80th Masters 1000 semifinal in Shanghai.

Amid all the praise and laughter, it seemed Dana White, who was also at the event while gearing up for UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi, had little idea about Novak Djokovic. So what exactly happened?

Dana White’s slip-up leaves Novak Djokovic feeling awkward

When it was Dana White’s turn to grab the mic and share some words of wisdom, the UFC boss spoke about the importance of having a killer instinct to succeed, starting with his longtime friend, Shaquille O’Neal. “You can put Shaq anywhere in the world. Obviously, he stands out, and then when you meet him, nobody walks away from Shaq and doesn’t like him,” White said. But moments later, the UFC CEO made a slip that caught everyone’s attention.

While trying to praise Novak Djokovic, White appeared to forget the tennis star’s name, referring to him simply as “the other guy.” “And then obviously the other guy [Djokovic]. Great story about growing up, and he’s a killer,” White added. It left fans wondering, did the UFC chief really not know who Djokovic was? But that might not be entirely true, considering all three: White, Shaq, and Novak Djokovic likely interacted backstage before the event.

Despite the awkward moment, White quickly recovered and made sure to give Djokovic the respect he deserved. He acknowledged the tennis legend’s incredible longevity and drive, saying, “He’s still in the game, still doing what he’s doing, and still mentally motivated to go out and try to win.” The compliment helped smooth things over, even if his earlier comment had already made the rounds online.

As the UFC CEO wrapped up his speech, Shaq stepped in to recognize Djokovic’s greatness, shaking the Serbian champion’s hand in a show of respect. It was a slightly uncomfortable moment for the 56-year-old UFC president, but perhaps even more so for Djokovic, who handled the situation with the grace and calm of a true champion. That said, do you believe Dana White genuinely forgot Novak Djokovic’s name, or was it just a slip of the tongue?