With some time off from cricket at his hands, Australian star batsman Steve Smith attended a charity event ahead of the Australian Open at the Melbourne Park and engaged in fun cricket and tennis with tennis legend Novak Djokovic.
Smith even stunned Djokovic with his tennis skills, leaving the tennis star shellshocked and the crowd amazed, while Djokovic put his tennis skills to use to play cricket!
A fun charity event was organized on January 11, Thursday, at Melbourne Park, where the Australian Open 2024 tournament will be played. It included a few famous tennis stars and they were joined by Steve Smith.
The Australian Open Twitter account uploaded a couple of videos from the event. Djokovic could be seen trying his hand at a cricket bat. Initially, he didn’t connect a loose ball, but then he switched to his tennis racket and smacked the ball straight.
Steve Smith and Djokovic then had a round of tennis, in which the Aussie batsman played a superb forehand stroke which astonished the tennis legend.
Watch these videos here:
Novak Djokovic bows down to Steven Smith.
– Two of the greatest playing Tennis…!!!pic.twitter.com/kvsPhvJN4y
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) January 11, 2024
Novak Djokovic playing cricket. 🏏pic.twitter.com/ZEVJopZ272
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) January 11, 2024
Steve Smith set to open for the first time in his Test career
![[VIDEO] Steve Smith Plays Tennis, Novak Djokovic Picks Up Cricket Bat Ahead Of Australian Open 2024](https://thecricketlounge.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/shardul-47.webp)
Meanwhile, the upcoming Test series at home against the West Indies will start a new chapter in the career of Steve Smith, who is hailed as arguably the best Test batsman since Don Bradman. Smith has managed to convince the selectors to allow him to open, replacing the retired David Warner.
What this move allowed Australia is to be able to get Cameron Green in the playing XI. The all-rounder was on the bench for the three Tests against Pakistan, but Australia feel he is too good to be sitting outside the team.
The 34-year-old Smith has attained his greatness in Test cricket at number 3 and 4. But his willingness to take on a new challenge – while also selflessly thinking of the betterment of his team – has been commended by everyone.
Marnus Labuschagne said on this move: “[Smith] is excited for a new challenge. If that motivates him and gets the cricket world Steven Smith for another two or three years, I think that is a massive win.”
