Australia batter Steve Smith is considered to one of the top cricketers in the world right now but it was his tennis skills that left everyone at the Rod Lever Arena in Melbourne stunned. Smith was part of a charity game involving Novak Djokovic ahead of the Australian Open and his skills left even the 24-time Grand Slam winner surprised. Novak delivered a straight serve aimed at Smith’s body but the Australian cricketer showed good footwork to return the ball perfectly as it landed inside the court. Novak was stunned by the skill Smith showed and he even gave him a small bow to show his appreciation.
Game respects game!
(And Novak is just like the rest of us when it comes to Smudge…)@stevesmith49 • @DjokerNole • #AusOpen • #AO2024 pic.twitter.com/ioL8hjVSrF
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 11, 2024
Djokovic also tried his hand in cricket but his performance was not as impressive. He tried to hit the ball out the ground but was left disappointed as he missed it completely.
Djokovic was drawn Thursday against a qualifier or lucky loser to begin his bid for an 11th Australian Open crown, and could meet fellow Grand Slam champion Andy Murray in the third round.
The Serbian, who has won 24 majors, defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas in last year’s final then added the French and US Open titles to his collection.
Is it too late to add him to the test squad?! From the sounds of it the selectors are open to trying things out…@DjokerNole • #AusOpen • #AO2024 pic.twitter.com/VAJq2KFShr
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 11, 2024
But the 36-year-old will begin his defence under an injury cloud after a wrist problem hampered him at the United Cup, where he lost to Australian Alex De Minaur.
Greek seventh seed Tsitsipas has a tough task to repeat his 2023 feat with former top 10 Italian Matteo Berrettini his opening opponent and Djokovic a potential quarter-finalist.
Spanish world number two Carlos Alcaraz, the only man to beat Djokovic at a Slam last year to win Wimbledon, gets his campaign underway against French veteran Richard Gasquet.
Like Djokovic, third seed Daniil Medvedev, a Melbourne finalist in 2021 and 2022, drew a qualifier in the first round.
The Russian could face 27th seed Felix Auger-Aliassime in the third round, with the Canadian facing a stern opening test against former world number three Dominic Thiem.
(With AFP inputs)
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