Golf's new world No1, Rory McIlroy, tried his hand at a different sport, winning a rally against Maria Sharapova during his girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki's tennis exhibition.
Wozniacki summoned McIlroy from his courtside seat at Madison Square Garden and handed him the racquet in a lighthearted moment before the final game of her match, which she lost 6-3, 6-4.
McIlroy resisted at first but then placed the tennis ball down on the blue surface, addressed it as if hitting a golf chip shot, then picked it up and started a friendly rally with Sharapova, who is ranked No2 in the world.
After trading some gentle shots, the Russian sent an overhand long to the delight of the crowd and McIlroy quit while he was ahead, scurrying back to his seat.
McIlroy, who rose to the top of the world rankings after winning the Honda Classic in Florida on Sunday, said afterwards it was "nice to take a little break from golf".
The Northern Irishman, who was besieged by autograph hunters during changeovers, acknowledged he was not quite ready to eclipse Wozniacki in the world rankings.
"Another couple of years," said the curly-haired 22-year-old. Wozniacki said she did not send McIlroy sweets or flowers after his Sunday victory.
"I don't want his head to become too big, so no," she said. American Andy Roddick finished up the programme by beating Roger Federer 7-5, 7-6.
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