Watch Novak Djokovic's Viral 'Soda Pop' Dance: the Us Open Moment Taking over Social Feeds
During the on-court post-match interview, Djokovic cleared up any confusion about why a veteran tennis icon was channeling animated teen choreography. The tribute was aimed directly at his daughter, Tara Djokovic, who turned eight during the tournament fortnight.
"She made me promise," Djokovic explained with a laugh, looking up toward his player box. "She told me, 'If you win tonight, you have to do the Soda Pop dance.' You don't say no to your daughter on her birthday. I had to practice the steps in the hotel room yesterday to make sure I didn't embarrass her completely."
The track itself hails from KPop Demon Hunters, an animated musical project whose catchy single "Soda Pop" spawned a global dance challenge across short-form video networks throughout the year. Children and teenagers had spent months mastering the precise hand shifts, making Tara’s assignment both a challenge and an affectionate setup. By executing the full routine without hesitation, Djokovic demonstrated a lighter, self-effacing side that fans rarely see during the pressure-cooker environment of a Grand Slam second week.
