Ilia Malinin Stuns Novak Djokovic With Historic Backflip at Winter Olympics

The 21-year-old American figure skater won Olympic gold in the team event and left the tennis legend in awe.

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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Ilia Malinin, a 21-year-old American figure skater, achieved a historic milestone at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics by delivering Team USA's first Olympic gold medal in the figure skating team event with a standout performance that included the first legal backflip in nearly 50 years. Malinin's routine left tennis champion Novak Djokovic stunned, with the skater himself astonished to learn of the tennis legend's impressed reaction.

Why it matters

Malinin's achievement not only brought glory to the United States but also showcased the incredible talent and skill of the young figure skater. His ability to land the rare and difficult backflip maneuver has captured the attention of the sports world, and his performance has left a lasting impression on even the greatest athletes, like Djokovic.

The details

In the final round of the team figure skating event, Malinin faced off against Japan's Shun Sato for the gold medal in the men's free skate. Malinin delivered a near-perfect performance, culminating in the stunning backflip that sealed the deal for Team USA, which won its second consecutive gold medal since the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.

  • The final round for the team figure skating event took place at the Forum di Milano in Milan on February 9, 2026.
  • Malinin is scheduled to compete in the individual men's singles qualification round on February 10, 2026, with the final on February 13, 2026.

The players

Ilia Malinin

A 21-year-old American figure skater who won the Olympic gold medal in the team event at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, becoming the first American to land a legal backflip in nearly 50 years.

Novak Djokovic

A renowned Serbian tennis player who was left stunned and impressed by Malinin's historic backflip performance at the Winter Olympics.

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What they’re saying

“I did see Djokovic. It's so unreal. I heard that after I landed my backflip, he was like, he had his hands over his head. That's incredible. That's a once-in-a-lifetime moment: Seeing a famous tennis player watching my performance. I'm absolutely blown away.”

— Ilia Malinin (profootballnetwork.com)

What’s next

Malinin will compete in the individual men's singles event at the Winter Olympics, with the qualification round scheduled for February 10, 2026, and the final on February 13, 2026, at the Forum di Milano. The 21-year-old skater will attempt to replicate the success of American figure skater Nathan Chen, who won both the team and individual events at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.

The takeaway

Ilia Malinin's historic performance at the 2026 Winter Olympics, which included the first legal backflip in nearly 50 years, has cemented his status as a rising star in the world of figure skating. His ability to captivate the audience and impress even the greatest athletes, like Novak Djokovic, is a testament to his exceptional talent and dedication to the sport.