Novak Djokovic’s fun day out in court: Plays cricket, basketball and does the flexibility challenge - 3 minutes read
Over the years, Novak Djokovic has proved time and again that he can do it all on the tennis court. To put that theory to practice, the Serbian athlete tried his hands at cricket, basketball and a flexibility challenge for a charity event at Melboure in front of a packed audience.
Cricketer Steve Smith was Djokovic’s opponent in a fun little tennis duel where the Aussie stunned the 24-time Grand Slam champion by returning his serve much to the delight of the live audience. Even Djokovic looked stunned at that.
The tennis star would then try his hand with batting but after missing the first ball, swapped the cricket bat with his trusted racquet and proceed to nail the next ball into the crowd.
Game respects game!
(And Novak is just like the rest of us when it comes to Smudge…) • • #AusOpen • #AO2024 pic.twitter.com/ioL8hjVSrF
— #AusOpen () January 11, 2024
He would then take on a basketball challenge and proceed to dunk the ball and then celebrate like superstar LeBron James.
That’s not all. He would then face off against international gymnast Georgia Godwin and do a flexibility challenge.
Is it too late to add him to the test squad?! From the sounds of it the selectors are open to trying things out… • #AusOpen • #AO2024 pic.twitter.com/VAJq2KFShr
— #AusOpen () January 11, 2024
Djokovic will begin his quest for a record-extending 11th Australian Open title and 25th Grand Slam crown overall against a qualifier, while top-ranked Iga Swiatek plays 2020 champion Sofia Kenin, following the draw on Thursday.
Djokovic required treatment for a wrist problem during his United Cup defeat by Alex de Minaur last week – his first loss in Australia for six years – and can put that disappointment behind him with a fast start at his most successful major.
A challenge?! This is like shelling peas for international gymnast Georgia Godwin, !#AusOpen • #AO2024 pic.twitter.com/bXs24p8Lfj
— #AusOpen () January 11, 2024
Defending women’s champion Aryna Sabalenka meets a qualifier while 2023 runner-up Elena Rybakina, who downed the world number two in the final of the tune-up tournament in Brisbane, takes on Karolina Pliskova.
Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz heads to Melbourne Park for the year’s opening Grand Slam starting on Sunday without any competitive matches under his belt this season, and the Spaniard meets Richard Gasquet.
Move over, ! • • #AusOpen • #AO2024 pic.twitter.com/bMmPknbXOD
— #AusOpen () January 11, 2024
Last year’s runner-up Stefanos Tsitsipas will take on Matteo Berrettini, while twice-finalist Daniil Medvedev starts against a qualifier. Italian youngster Jannik Sinner faces Botic van de Zandschulp.
Source: The Indian Express
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