Djokovic Reflects on His Admiration for Virat Kohli, the Cricket Inspiration
Synopsis
In a heartfelt revelation, Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic credits Indian cricket legend Virat Kohli as his inspiration for following cricket. He looks forward to blending tennis and cricket during his anticipated visit to India.
Key Takeaways
Novak Djokovic credits Virat Kohli for inspiring his interest in cricket.
The two sports icons plan to collaborate during Djokovic's visit to India.
Kohli showed support for Djokovic during a thrilling Wimbledon match.
Djokovic paid tribute to Kohli's retirement with a heartfelt message.
He expressed deep gratitude for the support from his Indian fans.
New Delhi, April 21 (NationPress) Serbian tennis legend Novak Djokovic shared insights about his bond with Indian cricket icon Virat Kohli, revealing that it was Kohli who inspired him to start watching cricket. He expressed his ambition to blend tennis and cricket, aiming for a collaboration between the two sports when he travels to India.
During last year's Wimbledon on July 7, alongside his wife, Bollywood star Anushka Sharma, Kohli attended Djokovic's exciting round of 16 victory over Australia’s Alex de Minaur and later posted a warm message on Instagram to celebrate Djokovic's performance. Kohli remarked, "What a match. It was business as usual for the gladiator, @djokernole," on X.
"Virat is a friend and someone I truly respect and admire. To be honest, he is the reason I started following cricket. I hope that when I visit India, we can have a little tennis and cricket fun, spreading positive vibes and celebrating sports together," Djokovic stated to Times Now at the Laureus World Sports Awards.
In May of the previous year, following Kohli’s retirement announcement from Test cricket, the 24-time Grand Slam champion took a moment to honor the cricket star. He reshared Kohli's post on Instagram with the caption, "Incredible innings @virat.kohli."
Djokovic also conveyed a sincere message to his Indian supporters, expressing profound gratitude for the "love, respect, and appreciation" he has garnered from fans around the world.
"My message is always love, respect, and appreciation for all the support I have received from Indian tennis fans and sports enthusiasts globally. I have met so many wonderful fans over the years. I truly feel a calling to visit India as I've been wanting to come for the last couple of years. I hope to organize an event, play a match, or anything else, as I feel a strong connection with the Indian people," Djokovic added.
Point of View
Djokovic's admiration for Kohli not only highlights the camaraderie between sports legends but also underscores the cultural connections that sports can foster across borders.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Novak Djokovic start following cricket?
Novak Djokovic began following cricket because of his admiration for Virat Kohli.
What plans does Djokovic have for India?
Djokovic hopes to blend tennis and cricket during his visit to India, collaborating with Kohli.
How did Kohli show support for Djokovic?
Kohli attended Djokovic's match at Wimbledon and shared his excitement on social media.
What tribute did Djokovic pay to Kohli?
Djokovic honored Kohli's retirement from Test cricket by resharing his post with a heartfelt message.
What message did Djokovic convey to his Indian fans?
Djokovic expressed gratitude for the love and support he receives from Indian fans and feels a strong connection to India.
