An all-star sporting line-up including cricketer Steve Smith and track star Peter Paul joined Novak Djokovic in a big charity match at the Australian Open last night.
Commonwealth Games gold medal-winning gymnast Georgia Goodwin, US NBL star and former NBA player Alan Williams from the South East Melbourne Phoenix, and the late cricketer Shane Warne's son, Jackson, also took part in the sold-out event at Rod Laver Arena .
Defending Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka, top Greek players Stefanos Tsitsipas and Maria Sakkari, and Australian wheelchair tennis player Heath Davidson concluded “A Night with Novak and Friends” – the second of three charity matches held as part of AO's opening week, presented by Herald Sun.
The fundraiser for children's charities through Tennis Australia saw participants play a mix of tennis and other sports, with Djokovic trying out cricket with Smith, basketball with Williams, running exercises with Paul and stretching exercises with Goodwin.
He also danced his way into Rod Laver Arena, occupied the umpire's chair and had difficulty playing wheelchair tennis.
“Taking Novak through some basic exercises was something I never thought I would do,” Goodwin posted on social media afterward.
Smith – an avid tennis fan who was this week confirmed as Australia's new opening batsman for the upcoming Adelaide Test against the West Indies – also earned cheers from the crowd and applause from Djokovic after returning the 10-time Australian Open winner's serve.
Injured Australian Nick Kyrgios also appeared at the charity event, interviewing Djokovic on a live episode of his new radio show Good Trouble.
Australian No. 1 Alex de Minaur defeated world No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz in the first charity match of the opening week on Wednesday night, in front of a nearly full Rod Laver Arena.
The in-form Melbourne Park team won 6-4, 5-7 (10-3) in a high-quality match.
Alcaraz will return for the third charity match on Friday evening, where he will face world number 11 Casper Ruud.
Tickets are still available for this showdown, starting at $20, via Ticketmaster.
ausopen.com
Originally published as Steve Smith, Peter Paul join Novak Djokovic in AO opening week charity match
