The most decorated female skier’s hustle did not go unnoticed by one of the world’s best tennis icons.  

Eileen Gu added another medal to her existing list, earning a significant nod from Novak Djokovic.

On February 17, the 38-year-old put up three emojis in his Instagram story, along with a post that celebrated Gu’s achievement.

A hand raise, a clap, and a crown are what Djokovic thinks suit Gu’s Olympic run so far. On February 16, a 22-year-old Gu won Silver for China in the big air event of Milan Cortina. Just a week ago, she won Silver in slopestyle. And with these, she’s a five-time Olympic medallist.

In the 2022 Beijing Games, Gu won golds in big air and halfpipe. Then had a Silver in slopestyle. The star herself mentioned that hitting this ceiling has a special air about it. She was also asked if she sees this performance as two silvers gained or two golds ​lost.

"Five-time Olympic medallist has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?" Gu said after her win. "I am the most decorated female freeskier in history," she said. "I ​think ‌that's an answer in and of itself.”

Gu is competing in Big Air, Slopestyle, and Halfpipe in Milan, and she has already won two medals. So, Djokovic’s reaction is a direct nod to her athleticism. However, he wasn’t the only one to praise her.

Chloe Kim Celebrated Eileen Gu’s Feat

U.S. snowboarder Chloe Kim left Milan early, with the only medal she competed for. Kim signed up just for the halfpipe and won silver in it. She came second to South Korean skier Choi Gaon. And thus, missed out on a third consecutive gold medal in the event.

However, she did not hold back from celebrating Gu, who won silver despite not competing in Big Air since 2022. In Gu’s recent Instagram post, where she flexed her historical achievement, Kim left a comment. “Major major major”, three words, big impact.

And this is not the first time Kim has shown support for Gu. The 25-year-old also congratulated the younger one after the latter finished second in the slopestyle final.

Gu will head to her qualifying round of Big Air on Thursday. And a victory in this will add another medal to her bag. Do you think she’ll make it? Comment down your thoughts.

Written by

Deblina Roy

Edited by

Joyita Das