How Novak Djokovic is helping European Ryder Cup team (according to Rory McIlroy)

With the 2025 Ryder Cup fast approaching, the European team is leaving no stone unturned when it comes to preparation. A special focus has been placed on dealing with rowdy American fans at Bethpage Black. And, according to Rory McIlroy, the Euros are turning to a special advisor to help with that effort: all-time tennis great Novak Djokovic.

Here’s what you need to know.

McIlroy takes inspiration from Djokovic’s example

McIlroy is busy trying to win the Irish Open on the DP World Tour this week and chase down another Race to Dubai season-long title.

But before he jetted off to the Emerald Isle, McIlroy attended the U.S. Open tennis event in New York, where he was spotted in the crowd shortly after the Tour Championship.

During Rory’s Wednesday press conference at the Irish Open, the Ryder Cup dominated most of the questions.

McIlroy was quick to share his excitement for the event, and, especially, for the chance to accomplish what he called “one of the biggest achievements in the game.”

What achievement is that? Winning an away Ryder Cup. As McIlroy noted in his comments, there’s a reason the “home team” has won the Ryder Cup for 10 years straight. As McIlroy sees it, the home team has a huge advantage, part of which relates to the fans.

“The home team do have a big advantage from the setup of the golf course to how partisan the crowd is,” McIlroy said on Wednesday. “So, yeah, I think the Europeans have a wonderful opportunity this year to achieve something very, very special, but it’s also going to be very difficult.”

He continued: “They’re going to have a pretty raucous crowd on their side and on a golf course that a lot of them know pretty well from previous tournaments there. So make no mistake, we know we’re up against it and we know we’ve got a tall task on our hands.”

McIlroy’s experience watching the U.S. Open tennis tournament, though, provided him inspiration from someone who has excelled on the biggest stages when the crowd is against him: Djokovic. McIlroy caught one of Djokovic’s recent matches on TV and took away some learnings.

“I guess all we can do is control our response and our reaction to it. I watched a little bit of Novak Djokovic last night playing in his match against Taylor Fritz,” McIlroy explained. “It was a very pro-American crowd. He’s been the best at handling that sort of — he’s had to deal with it his whole life, whether it’s playing against an American in New York or playing against Roger or Rafa.”

And excel Djokovic has. Djokovic holds the all-time record for most tennis grand slam wins with 24. He’s also spent more time as the No.1-ranked player in the world than anyone else in tennis history.

Though he’s now 38 and ranked No. 7, Djokovic is putting on another show this week at the U.S. Open, which he’s won four times. He’s one of four remaining players on the men’s side competing in Saturday’s semi-finals.

Rory reveals Novak advised Euros at last Ryder Cup, too

But it turns out Djokovic hasn’t just helped the European team with his example, he’s also advised them directly.

Djokovic attended the 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome and even played in the Celebrity Ryder Cup before the tournament began.

At some point during that week at Marco Simone, Djokovic provided the European team with some advice on dealing with boisterous Ryder Cup fans, as McIlroy revealed on Wednesday.

“He came and spoke to us a little bit about that stuff last time in Rome,” McIlroy said. “So maybe taking a leaf out of his book and channeling that energy the right way, but again, all we can do is control our reaction and our emotions to it. I think the less we play into it, the better it is for us.”

It’s safe to say Djokovic’s talk worked. The European team dominated the Americans in Rome 16.5-11.5 to win the Ryder Cup.

Djokovic continues his quest for a fifth U.S. Open title on Saturday with his semi-final match against Carlos Alcaraz (another golf nut) at 3 p.m. ET.

The 2025 Ryder Cup kicks off Sept. 26 at Bethpage State Park’s Black Course in New York.

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