Novak Djokovic jokingly challenged Rory McIlroy to a winner-takes-all tennis match, offering up his own custom white tournament blazer in exchange for McIlroy's iconic Masters Green Jacket.

Wimbledon's official YouTube channel shared the clip of the event, where Djokovic paused his speech to call out the two-time Masters champion standing in the Royal Box.

"Rory, what a beautiful jacket. Is that a Masters Jacket? Must be. Round of applause for Rory for Masters, please. I want that jacket. I'll play you this jacket for that jacket. We play tennis. No golf," Djokovic said to the Northern Irishman.

The proposal came out of nowhere during Djokovic's on-court interview after his 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 win over Stefanos Tsitsipas on Wednesday, July 1, posted by the official Wimbledon channel on YouTube.

McIlroy was in the Royal Box alongside his wife, Erica Stoll, wearing the green jacket. McIlroy wasn't the only golfer in the building, though.

Justin Rose and Luke Donald, both key figures of the European side that defeated the United States in the 2023 and 2025 Ryder Cups, were also in attendance.

They witnessed Djokovic secure his 12th consecutive head-to-head victory over Tsitsipas, a clinical performance that advanced the 39-year-old into the Wimbledon third round for the 20th time in his legendary career.

"I feel very privileged to be walking out on the court at age 30-plus," Djokovic said in the same video.

"Age is just a number, and a few people who know something about that are in the Royal Box, Rory [McIlroy], Justin [Rose], Luke [Donald], nice to see you guys. Congrats Team Europe on the Ryder Cup. I watched you guys."

McIlroy's history of leaning on Djokovic for motivation: Another Claret Jug loading?

McIlroy became just the fourth golfer in Masters history to win back-to-back green jackets this April, joining Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods. And he did it one year after finally completing the career Grand Slam.

Many players would stop and feel satisfied, but not McIlroy.

Since that win at Augusta, he has not won another tournament. He finished tied for 19th at the Truist Championship. He finished tied for 7th at the PGA Championship, which was his best result besides the Masters. Then came a difficult week at the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills.

Now, if we look back in history, when McIlroy needs a push, he often looks toward Djokovic.

In 2018, McIlroy went into The Open at Carnoustie without a major win in four years and said he had been watching Djokovic. Djokovic actually won Wimbledon that summer, after a two-year slump.

McIlroy didn’t win that week— Francesco Molinari took the trophy—but he came very close, finishing tied for second.

The same thing happened before the 2025 Ryder Cup. 

“He’s been the best at handling that,” McIlroy said of Djokovic at the Irish Open, per Fox Sports. “He’s had to deal with it his whole life, whether it’s playing against an American in New York or playing against Roger (Federer) or Rafa (Nadal)."

And this time, Team Europe went on to win the Ryder Cup at Bethpage, and McIlroy played brilliantly amid a hostile American crowd.

Now the next major and the last major of the season, the Open Championship, is just two weeks away. McIlroy would love to lift it again.

What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments.

Read more at Club Golf!

Written by

Md Saife Fida

Edited by

Shubhi Rathore