Novak Djokovic was in the middle of his on-court interview after beating Stefanos Tsitsipas when he called out Rory McIlroy in the Royal Box
Rory McIlroy in the Royal Box at Wimbledon with his wife Erica Stoll(Image: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Novak Djokovic paused his post-match Wimbledon speech to single out Rory McIlroy, who was seated in the Royal Box, challenging the golfer to a tennis match with their distinctive jackets as the prize.
McIlroy had arrived at SW19 sporting his iconic Green Jacket — awarded to Masters champions — while Djokovic himself cut a dapper figure in a stylish white jacket as he strode out onto Centre Court.
The 39-year-old Serbian star was mid-interview when he spotted McIlroy among the crowd and brought proceedings to a halt, 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.
“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 has enjoyed a remarkable 12 months, capping it off by winning the Masters to complete his personal Career Slam, before further glory on American soil with Team Europe at the Ryder Cup, reports the Express.
The Northern Irish golfer proudly showed off his Green Jacket in the Royal Box throughout the day, having arrived ahead of Wimbledon’s opening match on Centre Court, where Jannik Sinner defeated Nuno Borges in straight sets.
He remained for the full day’s play, watching Djokovic comfortably overcome Tsitsipas — though not without a cheeky snack break along the way.
McIlroy was caught on camera reaching into a tin of sweets being passed around the Royal Box, but he snatched them away from wife Erica Stoll — a moment that Clare Balding on BBC spotted.
“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 chipped in: “There’s a good supply in that bucket. A few eclairs, a few sherbert lemons.”
Balding then saw McIlroy taking the sweet away from his wife and said: “Erica then! She’s just about to take one and he rips it away!”
