Tennis stars love golf: "Djoker" at the Ryder Cup, Williams is a club owner

The world of sport is full of cross-connections, but few are as obvious and at the same time as fascinating as those between tennis and golf. Precision, coordination, mental strength and the ability to perform under pressure are all qualities that are crucial on both the tennis court and the golf course. It is therefore hardly surprising that many of the biggest names in tennis have developed a deep passion for playing with the little white ball off the court. For some, it's a relaxing outlet, for others a serious sporting challenge that they pursue with the same meticulousness as they once did their serves.

The "Big Three" of tennis on the golf course

First and foremost, Roger Federer, the "maestro" of tennis, joins the ranks of enthusiastic golfers. Since his retirement, he has continuously honed his golf skills and is now said to play with a remarkable handicap of 8.9. The 43-year-old has even been a guest at Augusta National. He was invited by Rory McIlroy. According to Federer himself, he played a 75 on the "holy grass" of Augusta. Respect!

His eternal rival, clay court king Rafael Nadal, is also a passionate golfer. Rumor has it that he sometimes had a handicap around scratch. For Nadal, golf is not just a hobby, but another discipline in which he can live out his irrepressible competitive spirit and relentless concentration, just like on his beloved red clay. And he also brings his "sideline" to perfection. In mid-July, he hit a hole-in-one at a tournament on Mallorce

Novak Djokovic, the third of the "Big Three", also finds golf a welcome change of pace and mental relaxation. However, he has also performed in front of a large audience. He played in a celebrity match at the 2023 Ryder Cup and put on an entertaining show that was cheered on by the fans.

From Wimbledon to St. Andrews

Scottish tennis hero Andy Murray has also deepened his passion for golf after his intense career on Tour. He uses his free time to improve his handicap and explore the British golf courses, where his characteristic stubbornness from the tennis court has given way to his humorous side. Since the end of his career, his social media bio reads: "I played tennis. I now play golf." If that's not a commitment. Since March, he has even found a sponsor in Callaway .

Former world number one Andy Roddick even saw golf as a kind of therapy after his tennis career. The change from an explosive sprint to a more leisurely pace on the Fairway helped him to adapt to life after high performance sport and find new challenges. You're welcome.

Former tennis pro Philipp Kohlschreiber, record winner of the ATP tournament BMW Open in Munich, not only shines on the court, but is also a player to be taken seriously on the golf course. With a handicap of 6.9, he plays at a high level and says that he particularly appreciates the unifying aspect of golf: "You can compete with young and old, good and bad. Everyone can play together." Read a detailed report on Philipp Kohlschreiber's passion for golf here.

The young guard and global talents

Even the rising stars of tennis show their passion for golf at an early age. Carlos Alcaraz, the young Spaniard, was himself on the golf course on the sidelines of the recent tournament at Wimbledon. He went for a round with the aforementioned Andy Murray. He has also teed off with rival Alex Zverev, who recently made his golfing home in Monaco.

The American Taylor Fritz is also a keen golfer. Like many of his colleagues, he appreciates the mixture of sporting challenge and the opportunity to relax in nature. Paradorn Srichaphan, the former world number 9 from Thailand, wanted to take an unexpected career path after his tennis career. However, his attempt to turn professional has not yet materialized, at least not on a Tour worth mentioning.

Tennis greats on the tee

The ladies are also fascinated by golf. Steffi Graf, the German tennis icon, has also taken a liking to golf in her post-career role, often together with her husband Andre Agassi, who is also a keen golfer.

Serena Williams is not looking for sporting affirmation in golf, but wants to enjoy the time and have fun, she reports after her career ends. However, the little wise ball also has a serious side for her. Together with her husband, she is the owner of the LA Golf Club, which takes part in the "Tomorrow Golf League" founded by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy.

Maria Sharapova, who won Wimbledon as a 17-year-old in 2004, began her golf career back in 2015. A year later, she was banned for doping but returned to the WTA Tour. She documented her first attempts at golf and shared her new hobby with her fans. In an interview, she described the tennis circus as very similar to life on the golf Tour. The two sports are the "most mentally challenging" of all.

Former world number one in tennis, Ashleigh Barty, made headlines when she shone in golf after her surprise retirement from professional tennis in March 2022 and won a tournament (there was 30 Australian dollars in prize money!). With a handicap of 3.9, she proved that her talent goes beyond the tennis court and there was speculation as to whether she would pursue a second professional career as a golfer. However, she clearly denied this. Golf is a hobby and will remain so. She has now turned golf into a family sport. Even her two-year-old son already plays.