Novak Djokovic left embarrassed by Shane Warne's son ahead of Australian Open

Novak Djokovic left embarrassed by Shane Warne's son ahead of Australian Open

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Stuart Ballard

By Stuart Ballard


Published: 11/01/2024

- 12:16

Updated: 11/01/2024

- 12:18

Novak Djokovic was out on court at Melbourne Park for an exhibition event with some famous Australian athletes ahead of the Australian Open.

Novak Djokovic may be an expert with a tennis racket - but that skillset clearly doesn't translate to cricket after being caught out by Shane Warne's son during an exhibition event at the Australian Open.

The 10-time Australian Open champion was the main event inside Melbourne Park on Thursday as he was joined by a host of Australian sports stars after a friendly match with Stefanos Tsitsipas, Maria Sakkari and Aryna Sabalenka.


After finishing up the tennis exhibition match, Djokovic was then joined by Australian cricket icon Steve Smith, who showed his skills with the racket by returning one of the Serb's fast serves.

Djokovic dropped his own racket and gasped in amazement that Smith was able to return his serve.

Novak Djokovic was facing a ball from Shane Warne's son

Novak Djokovic was facing a ball from Shane Warne's son

AUSOPEN/TWITTER

The pair then swapped sports as some stumps were brought out onto court with Djokovic first attempting to bowl to Smith.

Djokovic then took hold of the cricket bat with Shane Warne's son, Jackson, stepping up to take a bowl at the Serbian tennis superstar.

The special moment was a repeat of when Warne himself bowled to Djokovic at the Australian Open in 2017.

Just like seven years ago, Djokovic was unable to return the ball from Warne with a swing and a miss.

This time, Djokovic had a second go to hit the ball into the crowd but he quickly changed the cricket bat out for a more familiar tennis racket that he was able to hit with.

The event also saw Djokovic joined on the court by Australian gymnast Georgie Godwin, middle-distance runner Peter Bol and American basketball star Alan Travis Williams.

Djokovic will now turn his focus to defending his Australian Open crown later this week when the first major of the year gets underway.

The 36-year-old hasn't lost a match at Melbourne Park since 2018 when Hyeon Chung pulled off a shock upset.

He has been drawn to face either a qualifier or lucky loser in the first round and could take on Andy Murray in the third round.

It would be the first time since the 2016 French Open that the two former rivals have met at a major if it were to happen.

Novak Djokovic missed the ball completely

Novak Djokovic missed the ball completely

AUSOPEN/TWITTER

And Murray feels Djokovic remains the favourite to win this year's Australian Open.

"A lot of people were saying that after Wimbledon and it didn’t really happen," Murray said.

"Novak won three Slams and lost a five-set epic final at Wimbledon. I still believe he’s the favourite going in. He still looks great but I would imagine it probably doesn’t get easier.

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"The Davis Cup matches or the ATP Finals are important events, of course, and I’m sure for Sinner or some of the younger guys that helps with their belief when they go on court against him.

"But I know that when the Australian Open rolls around it’s not going to be easy for those guys to win against Novak in a huge match, because some of them are trying to do it for the first time, and win a major for the first time.

"Alcaraz had won a major going into Wimbledon and that was against Casper (Ruud) who had also never won one.

"It’s not easy when you’re trying to win your first and you’re playing against the guy who’s won 24 times. It’s a very different mentality."

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