Shubman Gill names Roger Federer as top inspiration outside cricket
Synopsis
India's Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill has revealed Roger Federer as his greatest sporting idol outside cricket — and the reason is more athlete-to-athlete than fan admiration. Gill connects Federer's 'effortless' tag to his own, backs Sinner for Wimbledon, and would pick Alcaraz as a doubles partner. A rare, candid cross-sport portrait of Indian cricket's new captain.
Key Takeaways
Shubman Gill named Roger Federer as his biggest sporting inspiration outside cricket, citing the Swiss star's elegance and the hidden effort behind it.
Gill compared Carlos Alcaraz 's drop shot to his own trademark short-arm jab — calling it 'quick, deceptive, and very effective'.
The Indian captain backed world No.
1 Jannik Sinner to win the Wimbledon 2025 men's singles title.
Gill named Alcaraz as his preferred doubles partner, praising the Spaniard's on-court enjoyment.
His dream dinner table: Serena Williams , Roger Federer , Sir Viv Richards , and Sachin Tendulkar .
India's Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill has named tennis legend Roger Federer as his greatest sporting inspiration beyond cricket, saying the Swiss maestro's hallmark elegance resonated with him precisely because he understands, as an elite athlete himself, how much labour goes into making excellence appear effortless. The remarks came ahead of the Wimbledon 2025 finals, during a wide-ranging conversation with JioStar.
Why Federer Tops Gill's List
Gill drew a direct parallel between Federer's artistry and his own batting style — both frequently described by observers as 'effortless'. 'Roger Federer is my favourite. Growing up, a lot of people said he made everything look effortless. But when you play a sport yourself, you realise how much work goes into making it look that way. People have called me effortless in cricket too, but I know the effort behind it. The elegance and grace Federer played with was special, and that is why I admire him,' Gill said.
Alcaraz's Drop Shot and the Short-Arm Jab Connection
Asked which tennis stroke most resembled his own batting, Gill pointed immediately to reigning French Open champion Carlos Alcaraz and his signature drop shot. 'The drop shot that Alcaraz plays, it reminds me of the short-arm jab in cricket. I play that shot too, it's my trademark shot. Quick, deceptive, and very effective,' he said. The comparison underscores how top-tier athletes across disciplines find common ground in the mechanics of deception and timing.
Wimbledon Pick: Gill Backs Sinner
On the men's singles title race, Gill threw his weight behind world No. 1 Jannik Sinner. 'I'm backing Sinner to win Wimbledon. He is a fantastic player, and he carries himself really well both on and off the court,' the Indian skipper stated. Gill also named Alcaraz as his preferred doubles partner, citing the Spaniard's infectious court energy. 'He looks like someone who really enjoys himself on the court. It would be fun to play alongside him. I don't know the details, but I think I can hold my own in tennis,' he added.
The Dream Dinner Table
Gill rounded off the conversation by naming four sporting legends he would most want to dine with — two from each sport. 'Serena Williams, Roger Federer, and then the cricketers would be Sir Viv Richards and Sachin sir. Those are the four legends I would love to sit with and have dinner with them. I think the conversations would be incredible. They have all dominated their eras and have so much to share about their journeys. It would be a dream dinner,' he said. The selection — spanning generations, continents, and disciplines — reflects the breadth of Gill's sporting admiration beyond the cricket boundary.
With Wimbledon finals approaching and Gill firmly established as the face of Indian cricket's new era, his candid cross-sport perspectives offer a rare window into what drives one of the game's most aesthetically gifted batters.
Point of View
A self-aware parallel he explicitly draws to his own 'effortless' reputation. What is more revealing is his Wimbledon pick: backing Sinner over Alcaraz, despite naming Alcaraz as his doubles choice and aesthetic twin, suggests Gill separates personal affinity from competitive assessment. For Indian cricket's new captain, these cross-sport references also serve a subtle image function — aligning himself with a lineage of elegant, high-effort champions rather than brute-force ones. That is a brand position as much as a sporting opinion.
NationPress
11 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Shubman Gill's favourite sportsperson outside cricket?
Shubman Gill has named Roger Federer as his favourite sportsperson outside cricket. He said Federer's elegance and grace were special, and that as a fellow elite athlete, he deeply appreciates the hard work behind Federer's seemingly effortless style.
Who did Shubman Gill back to win Wimbledon 2025?
Gill backed world No. 1 Jannik Sinner to win the Wimbledon 2025 men's singles title, calling him a fantastic player who carries himself well both on and off the court.
Which tennis shot did Gill compare to his own batting?
Gill compared Carlos Alcaraz's drop shot to his own trademark short-arm jab in cricket, describing both as quick, deceptive, and very effective.
Who would Shubman Gill choose as a doubles partner in tennis?
Gill said he would choose Carlos Alcaraz as his doubles partner, praising the Spaniard's infectious energy and visible enjoyment on the court.
Who are the four legends on Shubman Gill's dream dinner list?
Gill named Serena Williams, Roger Federer, Sir Viv Richards, and Sachin Tendulkar as the four sporting legends he would most like to have dinner with, saying the conversations would be incredible given how each dominated their era.
