In the world of professional sports, athletes often find themselves competing in various tournaments and events. Sometimes, they venture into unfamiliar territories to challenge themselves and showcase their versatility. Novak Djokovic, the reigning world No. 1 in tennis, recently did just that in a rather unexpected and amusing way during a Ryder Cup celebrity event.
On a sunny afternoon at the Marco Simone golf course, Novak Djokovic, along with several other renowned athletes, participated in the All-Star Celebrity match. What made Djokovic’s appearance at the Ryder Cup celebrity event stand out was his candid confession that brought loads of laughter to the fans and spectators at the Ryder Cup.
The 36-year-old tennis sensation openly admitted that he had included his tennis rackets in his golf kit, not as a symbol of his tennis expertise, but as a backup plan. In his words, Djokovic explained, “Exactly! My confidence level with golf clubs is not that high. So just in case things go in the wrong direction, I can always rely on the item that I’m most comfortable with, which is the racket.”
“The confidence level with golf is not that high”
Novak Djokovic explains why he has got tennis rackets in his golf bag at the Ryder Cup celebrity All-Star match 😂 pic.twitter.com/v7iOSgz8xk
— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) September 27, 2023
During the range session to practice some swings, Djokovic surprised many by showcasing his golf skills, earning aplomb from onlookers. In a light-hearted moment, reacting to one of his wavered shots Djokovic took off his cap, reached into his golf bag, and humorously pulled out his tennis racket and started to walk. His wife, Jelena, found his response so amusing that she took to social media, adding a teary-eyed laughing emoji to express herself.
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Djokovic’s candid confession and his playful antics added a touch of humor to the event. Tennis legend acknowledged that golf was a sport that required a different skill-set one that he wasn’t entirely confident about mastering.
Novak Djokovic shares his “unique experience” of playing at the Ryder Cup
Novak Djokovic, after his record-equalling 24th Grand Slam victory at the U.S. Open, had taken a detour to golf at the All-Star match leading up to the 44th Ryder Cup. Playing in Team Monty, he partnered with Kipp Popert, the world’s top-ranked golfer with disabilities. The duo won 3-1 against Team Pavin. Alongside them were soccer star Gareth Bale and golf legend Colin Montgomerie, who headed the team.
Djokovic expressed his appreciation for the experience of participating in this unique event. He said, “It’s such an honor, a golden opportunity for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.” The tennis star, known for his composure on the court, couldn’t help but acknowledge the added pressure from the fans. He said, “Thanks to all the fans for coming and putting a bit of extra pressure on us on the first tee. It’s a unique experience.”
Victory for Team Monty 🏆 #AllStarMatch | #RyderCup pic.twitter.com/8Chx0sTiTh
— Ryder Cup (@rydercup) September 27, 2023
Reflecting on his golfing preparations, Djokovic revealed that he had taken the event seriously to avoid any embarrassing moments, stating, “When I got an invite, I was like, ‘Oh my god. I gotta accept this. I got a bit prepared… cannot hit someone in the head… because we don’t want that.” As he mentioned, after getting the invitation a couple of months ago, Djokovic had practiced golf a lot more than he had in the past 10 years!