'This is sporting greatness' - Novak Djokovic leads Team Monty to Ryder Cup All-Star success
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Updated 27/09/2023 at 18:52 GMT
Coming off the back of his US Open men's singles victory, it seems Novak Djokovic has been trying his hand at other sports, appearing in the Ryder Cup celebrity All-Star match on Wednesday, leading 'Team Monty' to success. Djokovic starred at the Marco Simone Golf and Country Club, before giving his thoughts on the future of tennis and his main rival Carlos Alcaraz.
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Novak Djokovic swapped his tennis racquet for a golf club on Wednesday, after he helped Colin Montgomerie’s claim victory at the Ryder Cup All Star Match.
The biennial golf tournament kicks off on Friday, with sides from Europe and USA set to do battle at the Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome.
The 24-time Grand Slam winner Djokovic joined up with former Tottenham and Real Madrid superstar, Gareth Bale, as part of 'Team Monty', to help them secure a 7-4 victory against a side lead by former US Ryder Cup captain, Corey Pavin.
But it wasn’t the first time the tennis star has won in the Italian capital, with the world No. 1 having triumphed at the ATP 1000 Rome Masters on six different occasions.
After the match, the Serbian spoke of how honoured he was to play at the course.
“It’s such an honour, a golden opportunity for a once in a lifetime experience,” the 36-year-old said on the first tee.
“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.”
Djokovic was partnered up with Kipp Popert who ranks as world No. 1 for golfers with disabilities for his match, with the pair squaring off against Singapore Grand Prix winner Carlos Sainz and Italian G4D golfer Tommaso Perrino.
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Before the match began, the US Open men’s singles champion stepped up to the first tee and jokingly addressed the ball with a tennis racquet before grabbing his driver from his caddie.
With one of the best serves in tennis, the crowd in the grand stand were eager to see how well he could drive the ball, and he showed he’s just as accurate, sending his tee shot straight down the middle.
His shot of the day came on the 260-yard 14th, where he hit a stunning fade to drive the green, and joked: “This is sporting greatness. I was going to play safe but the crowd made me do it. It was one of the best shots I’ve ever hit.”
“I’ve never played golf in front of this many people, so considering my level I think I’ve played quite well,” he added.
So far this season, Djokovic has won three Grand Slam titles and two further ATP tournaments, winning in Adelaide and at the ATP 1000 in Cincinnati.
He’s battled Carlos Alcaraz on several occasions this season, notably besting the world No. 2 to win in Cincinnati, before suffering defeat to the 20-year-old in the men’s singles final at Wimbledon.
And speaking on the state of the future of tennis, he lauded Alcaraz, claiming that the future of the sport looks good with him leading the way.
“I think tennis, the future is looking good, with Carlos [Alcaraz] leading that field,”
at the Marco Simone Golf and Country Club.
“We had some thrilling encounters last year, this year particularly with the finals of Wimbledon. Also Roland Garros and Cincinnati - that was one of the best three-set matches I’ve ever played.
“I think it’s great for our sport that more rivalries are happening but obviously, rivalries with [Roger] Federer and [Rafael] Nadal particularly, and also with Andy [Murray] are right up there for me.
“Carlos, I’ve just played him three, four times so hopefully I’ll play him as many times as I played the other guys, and that’ll mean I’ll be playing for years to come.
“I doubt that. But I’ve had a fantastic year and Grand Slams are the ones that count the most, for me at this point in my career, they’re the ones that I want to play my best tennis at. And to win three out of four slams and get to a final, I couldn’t ask for more.”
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