Novak Djokovic brought his Wimbledon on-court interview to a halt as he singled out Rory McIlroy, seated in the Royal Box, challenging the golfer to a tennis match with their jackets as the prize. The incident occurred after Djokovic defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas on Centre Court.
Djokovic's On-Court Challenge
McIlroy had arrived at SW19 wearing his Green Jacket, the coveted reward for claiming the Masters title, while Djokovic himself cut a stylish figure in a white jacket as he strode onto Centre Court. The 39-year-old Serb offered to stake his own garments in the wager, slipping his jacket back on to address the crowd, and one spectator in particular.
Djokovic was mid-interview when he paused to single out McIlroy among the watching audience, declaring: "I feel great. I've said this so many times before but I try not to take this moment for granted, playing on Centre Court of the childhood dream tournament."
"I've always been saying that, it stayed like that. I feel very privileged to be walking out on the court at age 30-plus. I don't think it's a cliche and I believe it's actually true. Age is just a number and a few people that know something about that are right in the Royal Box."
"Rory, Justin [Thomas], obviously Luke [Donald], it's nice to see you guys. Congrats Team Europe on the Ryder Cup, I watched you guys. Rory, what a beautiful jacket. Is that a Masters jacket? It must be. Round of applause for Rory for the Masters, please," reports the Express.
"I want that jacket. I'll play you. This jacket for that jacket, we'll play tennis! No golf. I want to thank them obviously for being present. I know they arrived early and stayed all day so thank you guys. It really means a lot seeing you here."
McIlroy's Remarkable Year
McIlroy has enjoyed a remarkable 12 months, which included claiming the Masters to complete his personal Career Slam, before tasting further success on American soil with Team Europe at the Ryder Cup. He proudly showed off his Green Jacket in the Royal Box throughout the day, having arrived ahead of Wimbledon's opening match on Centre Court, in which Jannik Sinner defeated Nuno Borges in straight sets.
He remained for the full day's play and watched Djokovic comfortably overcome Tsitsipas, though not without the aid of some nearby confectionery. McIlroy was caught on camera dipping into a tin of sweets that was being passed around amongst fellow Royal Box guests, though he cheekily swiped them from wife Erica Stoll in a moment that did not escape the attention of BBC presenter Clare Balding.
"This I think you're going to enjoy," Balding began. "This is a section we're going to call Wimbledon wildcards and first of all they are handing around the sweets in the Royal Box. That's [Edoardo] Molinari, he hands it through to McIlroy. That's a nice lether."
Tim Henman interrupted to say: "There's a good supply in that bucket. A few eclairs, a few sherbert lemons." Balding then spotted McIlroy taking the sweet away from his wife and said: "Erica then! She's just about to take one and he rips it away!"
