McIlroy Seeks Inspiration from Djokovic for the Ryder Cup
Rory McIlroy, after observing Novak Djokovic’s performance dealing with the public at the US Open, is preparing to emulate the star tennis player at the upcoming Ryder Cup, which will be held in the United States this month. The European team, led by McIlroy, will face a passionate and possibly hostile American fanbase at Bethpage Black during the clashes from September 26 to 28, where the Americans will seek to regain the cup after their defeat in Rome two years ago. Djokovic, during his US Open quarter-final match against local favorite Taylor Fritz, demonstrated a remarkable ability to handle the pressure of the environment, even responding with kisses to the fans who booed him.McIlroy, who received a motivational talk from Djokovic in the European team room before the 2023 Ryder Cup victory, seeks to apply that same strategy to manage the pressure and energy of the American public. The Rome experience should be valuable for the European team, which presents only one change in its lineup, with Rasmus Hojgaard as the only rookie in the 12-player squad. McIlroy used Robert MacIntyre, a rookie in Rome, as an example that “practically all the players on the team are more complete than two years ago” and believes that Europe has a “wonderful opportunity” to win the Ryder Cup away from home for the first time since 2012. “They have a very strong team,” McIlroy said of the Americans. “They’re going to have a very loud crowd on their side and on a golf course that many of them know quite well from previous tournaments. “So make no mistake, we know we’re facing a difficult task, but I love the team Luke has put together.”“He’s the best at handling that,” McIlroy said on Wednesday at the Irish Open. “He’s had to deal with it his whole life, whether it’s playing against an American in New York or against Roger Federer or Rafa Nadal.”
McIlroy
