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In a delightful twist during the Ryder Cup All-Star match, the illustrious tennis champion Novak Djokovic, with 24 Grand Slam titles under his belt, cheekily brandished a tennis racket on the first tee. As the crowd held its collective breath, Djokovic, with a smirk, remarked that the racket "actually would be better for me." But not one to be pigeonholed, the tennis maestro soon traded his tennis gear for a driver.
And surprise, surprise! Djokovic's prowess isn't limited to the tennis court. His drive skated down the right edge of the fairway, and he finished the hole with a respectable par 4. The seven-hole exhibition wasn't without its moments of humor.
Onlookers were half-expecting the star to pick up his tennis racket again when his ball landed in the tall grass, but Djokovic remained steadfast.
Djokovic's Golf Course Triumph
Yet, the pièce de résistance was his impeccable shot on the par-4 16th.
Echoing soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo's signature move, Djokovic celebrated with a jubilant leap and spin. Reflecting on his game, he commented, “Obviously I am much more comfortable hitting a tennis ball with my racket but I don’t think I did too bad today”.
True to his tennis roots, Djokovic's setup on the golf course mirrored his pre-serve routine, emphasizing his ball-bouncing ritual. The All-Star event was a star-studded affair. Soccer legends Andriy Shevchenko and Gareth Bale, along with F1 driver Carlos Sainz, showcased their golfing skills.
Come Friday, Djokovic is eager to soak in the fervor of the Ryder Cup's kick-off at the Marco Simone club near Rome. Speaking on the electric ambiance he's anticipating, he mentioned, “I have to experience this unique atmosphere...
it's this incredible noise and something that is quite unique to experience”. With European roots, Djokovic has a soft spot for Team Europe. He shared his decade-long camaraderie with golf champ Rory McIlroy, which dates back to McIlroy's engagement with tennis star Caroline Wozniacki.
He concluded, "I follow everyone. But [McIlroy]’s already a friend and I’m rooting for him particularly, and obviously Europe”.