Novak Djokovic signs up for mega sporting event this month – and he won’t need his tennis racket

Shahida Jacobs 06 Sep 2023 1:09 PM

Novak Djokovic on court during practice match

Novak Djokovic has added a prestigious event to his calendar as he will feature in the celebrity Ryder Cup All-Star Match after the US Open.

The 23-time Grand Slam winner will head to Italy later in September as he will compete in the all-star event alongside Formula 1 driver Carlos Sainz and footballers Gareth Bale and Andriy Shevchenko.

Djokovic will team up with WR4GD (World Ranking for Golfers with Disability) No 1 Kipp Popert from England as they will represent Team Monty. Popert, who was born with cerebral palsy, recently won his seventh G4D (golfers with a disability) Tour title at ISPS Handa World Invitational.

“I can’t wait to tee it up in Rome and experience the incredible atmosphere of a Ryder Cup, which has become legendary,” the Serbian said.

“The course looks like a fantastic test of golf and my playing partner Kipp, a seasoned pro, has won a lot on the G4D Tour recently so I’m confident we can get a point for the team. It’s going to be a great spectacle for the fans.”

The all-star event will take place on September 27 at the Marco Simone course outside Rome and will be a precursor for the 44th edition of the Ryder Cup between the United States and Europe.

As for the celebrity match, actress Kathryn Newton, Italian professional surfer Leonardo Fioravanti, and Garrett Hilbert from Dude Perfect will also take part with the two teams led by former Ryder Cup captains Colin Montgomerie and Corey Pavin.

Montgomerie said: “I can’t wait to tee it up in Rome and experience some of that Ryder Cup magic once again, this time joined by a team of celebrities who will bring a range of skills to the team, alongside their passion for golf.

“We have athletes proven at the highest level in Novak, Gareth, Leonardo and Kipp, and Garrett from Dude Perfect is a strong golfer who’ll be bringing some comedic light relief in the heat of battle.”

Novak Djokovic’s post-US Open schedule

Djokovic, who is already assured of returning to No 1 in the ATP Rankings after the US Open, remains in the hunt for the US Open trophy as he reached the semi-final on Tuesday with a three-set victory over Taylor Fritz.

A win over Ben Shelton in the semi-final will see him reach the final on September 10 and he will not have a long break after the season-ending hard-court Grand Slam in New York as he has been included in Serbia’s squad for the Davis Cup Group Stage phase

Serbia will face Spain, the Czech Republic and South Korea in Group C with the matches taking place in Valencia, Spain, from September 12-17.

He is then likely to take a break before his celebrity match in Rome.