In a revelation that has intrigued fans across sporting worlds, tennis icon Novak Djokovic has opened up about his unexpected connection with cricket. The 24-time Grand Slam champion, widely regarded as one of the greatest tennis players of all time, admitted that his interest in the sport was sparked by none other than Indian cricket superstar Virat Kohli.
The driving force behind Novak Djokovic’s cricket interest
Speaking at the Laureus World Sports Awards 2026 in Madrid, Djokovic shared that cricket was never on his radar before his friendship with Kohli. The Serbian legend credited the former India captain as the sole reason behind his newfound curiosity about the game.
“Virat is a friend—someone I respect and admire. He’s actually the reason why I started following cricket, so through him, I started following it more,” Djokovic said during an interaction with Times Now.
He further explained that his engagement with cricket grew gradually through conversations with Kohli. What began as a personal connection soon turned into genuine interest, with Djokovic now keeping an eye on the sport and its developments.
“we keep in touch & when I come to India, hopefully he can join and then we could do a little bit of tennis, a little bit of cricket – just spread positive vibes with people & celebrate sport,” added Djokovic.
A friendship built on mutual respect
The bond between Djokovic and Kohli extends far beyond casual admiration. Over the years, the two global icons have developed a strong rapport, regularly staying in touch and celebrating each other’s achievements. Kohli once revealed that their friendship began organically through social media when both athletes attempted to connect via Instagram at the same time. That initial interaction laid the foundation for a unique cross-sport friendship.
Their mutual respect is rooted in shared values—elite fitness, discipline, and mental resilience. Both athletes are known for pushing the boundaries of physical excellence and maintaining peak performance levels for over a decade. Djokovic has also publicly acknowledged Kohli’s milestones, notably congratulating him after his historic 50th ODI century, highlighting the genuine admiration between the two.
From admiration to action plans in India
Djokovic’s interest in cricket is no longer limited to watching from afar. The tennis legend has expressed a strong desire to visit India in the near future and possibly share the field with Kohli.
He even joked about preparing his cricket skills beforehand to avoid any embarrassment, indicating his enthusiasm to actively engage with the sport. More intriguingly, Djokovic floated the idea of a “tennis-meets-cricket” collaboration event, where both athletes could showcase their talents and promote positivity through sport.
Such an event, if realized, would bring together two massive fan bases and celebrate the universal appeal of athletic excellence.
While Djokovic is best known for his dominance on the tennis court, he has already shown glimpses of his cricketing curiosity. During an exhibition appearance with Australian cricketer Steve Smith in Melbourne, Djokovic surprised fans by picking up a bat and even clearing the boundary ropes with an impressive shot. The moment, though lighthearted, hinted at his natural athletic ability and willingness to embrace new sporting challenges.
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