Djokovic challenges McIlroy to tennis match for Masters jacket

By Isla Hartley · Sports Reporter · July 1, 2026

By Isla Hartley — 1 July 2026 — 3 min read

Djokovic’s Wimbledon Performance and On-Court Humour

Novak Djokovic, the 24-time major winner, advanced to the third round of Wimbledon after defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets. The victory was described as an “almost flawless” performance, with one commentator noting it was the best Djokovic had played since the Australian Open. His dominant display allowed for a relaxed atmosphere on court, leading to a light-hearted moment with a ball kid.

During a break between the second and third sets, while Tsitsipas was off court, Djokovic engaged in a prank. He asked a ball kid to assist him in trimming what appeared to be sports tape on his shoulder. As she made the cut, Djokovic flinched, pretending she had injured him, which caused the ball kid to jump. He quickly reassured her it was a joke, eliciting laughter from the crowd.

Reflecting on the incident after the match, Djokovic explained that such jokes tend to surface when he is in a comfortable lead, stating, “I guess these kind of [jokes] can surface when you are two sets to love up rather than two sets down.” He apologised if he had scared her, adding that the moment made him feel “a bit more relaxed.” The ball kid, who remained courtside, was seen laughing, indicating she saw the humour in the situation.

Royal Box Guests and a Unique Challenge

The match was attended by several notable figures in the Royal Box, including members of Team Europe from the Ryder Cup. Among them were two-time Masters winner Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, and Luke Donald. Djokovic took the opportunity to acknowledge their presence and congratulate Team Europe on their recent Ryder Cup victory on US soil.

Djokovic then turned his attention to McIlroy’s attire, specifically his green jacket. He openly expressed his desire for the jacket, asking, “Rory what a beautiful jacket, is that a Masters jacket? It must be.” He then proposed a unique challenge to McIlroy: “I want that jacket, I’ll play you – this jacket for that jacket! We play tennis, not golf!”

The Masters jacket is a highly coveted prize in golf, and it remains to be seen whether McIlroy would consider Djokovic’s offer for a tennis match. Djokovic himself has been wearing a white blazer with green piping at Wimbledon, adhering to the club’s strict dress code.

Looking Ahead in Wimbledon

Djokovic’s victory over Tsitsipas, with a scoreline of 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 in an hour and 38 minutes, marks his 12th successive victory over the Greek player. This win propels him into the third round of Wimbledon, continuing his pursuit of a 25th Grand Slam title.

Other notable results on the men’s side saw top seed Jannik Sinner defeat Nuno Borges in three sets, 7-6(7/4), 7-6(7/2), 6-4, to reach the third round. Eighth seed Daniil Medvedev secured a four-set win against Daniel Merida, while French Open runner-up Flavio Cobolli, seeded ninth, beat Mariano Navone. American qualifier Michael Zheng also advanced to the third round, following his opening win against British number one Cameron Norrie with another straight-sets victory against Nicolas Mejia. Djokovic is set to play French 25th seed Arthur Rinderknech in his next match.

Source: tntsports.co.uk

Isla Hartley

Sports Reporter

Isla Hartley is a Sports Reporter at NewsUK. She covered the British summer of sport from Wimbledon to the Test grounds. She focuses on tennis, cricket and athletics and is known for clear, deadline-driven reporting. She holds a degree in Sports Studies from the University of Stirling and completed an NCTJ diploma. Now based in Glasgow, she runs half-marathons and follows Scottish athletics. “The overlooked athlete usually has the better story.”