When two sports giants who excel at the highest-level cross paths, the sporting world stops to take notice. In a captivating display of mutual admiration across distinct athletic fields, Indian cricket icon Virat Kohli recently opened up about his enduring relationship with tennis legend Novak Djokovic.
Attending the iconic grass courts of the All England Club alongside his wife, Bollywood star Anushka Sharma, Kohli watched the action unfold live from Centre Court. The batting maestro, who recently stepped away from Test cricket to focus on the 50-over format, was in attendance to witness Djokovic’s gritty fourth-round triumph over Australian 11th seed Alex de Minaur, a grueling three-hour, 19-minute encounter that saw the Serbian bounce back from a tough opening set to claim victory.
Virat Kohli speaks about exchanging messages with Novak Djokovic while attending Wimbledon
Speaking on the sidelines of the tournament, Kohli revealed that his connection with the 24-time Grand Slam champion runs much deeper than just casual fan admiration. The former Indian captain disclosed that the duo has been in regular contact, exchanging text messages and supporting each other from afar for quite some time.
“Look, I’ve been in touch with Novak for a while now. We’ve exchanged some messages. He’s been incredibly gracious and kind to stay in touch,” Kohli shared with Star Sports.
Kohli did not hide his support for Djokovic as the tennis maestro chases history. A victory at SW19 would crown Djokovic with a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam singles title, lifting him past Margaret Court to become the most decorated singles player in tennis history. Visualizing the perfect finale, Kohli expressed his desire to see a blockbuster rematch between Djokovic and the two-time defending champion, Carlos Alcaraz.
“I want Novak and Carlos to be in the final, and ideally for Novak to win this one—because that would be a tremendous achievement for him at this stage of his career,” Kohli added, acknowledging the relentless drive required to sustain excellence at the absolute peak of professional sports.
Here’s the video:
#ViratKohli pic.twitter.com/dh5YYElrzK
— Aman (@Amanriz78249871) July 4, 2026
Kohli hails Djokovic as the best in tennis
For Kohli, who revolutionized the fitness culture and mental approach within Indian cricket, Djokovic represents the pinnacle of athletic longevity and dedication. The tennis icon’s ability to withstand immense pressure on the court is something Kohli respects deeply, drawing parallels to the intense focus demanded by global sports.
The Indian cricket legend firmly believes that Djokovic’s unmatched consistency firmly cements his status at the absolute top of the sports pantheon.
“And, you know, in the comparison or conversation about being the greatest of all time, he’d be right up there with anyone else, if not number one, with the maximum number of Grand Slam titles. He deserves it,” Kohli emphasized.
As Djokovic progresses into the final eight, backed by the support of global icons like Kohli, sports fans worldwide remain fixated on whether the Serbian legend can deliver another historic chapter to his legacy. Given the immense hard work Djokovic continues to pour into his craft, Kohli remains firmly in his corner, rooting for a grand finish against Alcaraz.
