Tennis legend Novak Djokovic is expected to fulfil the role of motivational speaker inside Team Europe’s Ryder Cup dressing room this week, according to a report from The Telegraph.
The 24-time Grand Slam victor is likely to follow in the footsteps of other sporting greats such as Sir Alex Ferguson, Gareth Edwards, and Pep Guardiola in providing rousing words of encouragement to the dozen in blue before they do battle with the fearsome Team USA.
Team Europe are trying to retain the Ryder Cup after their thumping at Whistling Straits two years ago, and the recent tactic of employing a sporting phenomenon is hoped to play a part in maintaining the Americans’ struggles away from home – with Team USA having failed to win out east since 1993.
And given Djokovic’s standing as the most successful male tennis star of all time, it is unsurprising that captain Luke Donald has apparently invited the Serbian into Europe’s inner sanctum in order to share some insight on how to beat the world’s best when there are such fine margins involved.
Sir Alex Ferguson, former manager of Manchester United, is pictured with The European Ryder Cup team (L-R) Front row: Rory McIlroy, Ian Poulter, Sir Alex Ferguson, Paul McGinley, Justin Rose, Stephen Gallacher and Back Row: Thomas Bjorn, Martin Kaymer, Lee Westwood, Sergio Garcia, Henrik Stenson, Graeme McDowell, Jamie Donaldson and Victor Dubuisson) after delivering a motivational speech ahead of the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles
(Image credit: Getty Images)
The 36-year-old has enjoyed a long and successful career so far while continuing to hold his own in the upper echelons of tennis while a plethora of once-in-a-generation talents have come hunting for his crown.
Also a keen golfer, Djokovic is playing in Wednesday’s celebrity exhibition match at Marco Simone alongside the likes of Gareth Bale, Carlos Sainz junior, and team captain, Colin Montgomerie.
According to The Telegraph, Montgomerie and another former winning Ryder Cup captain, Paul McGinley will also speak to the players in a motivational capacity as the pair won in 2010 and 2014, respectively, and were revered for their leadership qualities.
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