Tendulkar applauds Fery's fight, Zverev's serve, Sinner's brilliance at Wimbledon
London, July 11
Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar praised the quality of tennis on display at Wimbledon after watching the men's singles semifinals from Centre Court, describing Jannik Sinner's performance as a "masterclass" and lauding Alexander Zverev and Britain's Arthur Fery for their efforts.
Tendulkar was among several sporting icons present in the Royal Box at Wimbledon, where he watched Zverev defeat Britain's Arthur Fery to reach his maiden Wimbledon final before Sinner booked his place in the title clash with a commanding win over Serbian legend Djokovic.
He was joined by former West Indies captain Brian Lara, with the two batting greats sharing the spotlight after years of being fierce international rivals and later teammates in several charity matches.
Current India Test captain Shubman Gill also attended the semi-final, adding another touch of cricketing royalty to Centre Court.
The Royal Box also featured football stars, including Liverpool and Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk, while Leeds United chairman Paraag Marathe was among the notable guests at Centre Court.
Taking to X after the matches, Tendulkar reflected on an entertaining day at the All England Club.
"Wimbledon, you never disappoint! What a privilege to witness two brilliant semifinals today. The fight and belief shown by Fery was wonderful to watch, while Zverev's big serve played a crucial role in a hard-fought win," Tendulkar wrote.
The batting great also applauded world No. 1 Jannik Sinner following the Italian's straight-sets victory over seven-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic.
"And then came Jannik Sinner's masterclass. The way he combined power with control across every shot was remarkable. Novak competed till the very end, but Jannik was at his absolute best today," he added.
Tendulkar concluded by celebrating the spirit of sport and expressing his excitement for the Wimbledon final.
"Days like these are why we love sport. Looking forward to more magic on Centre Court!" he concluded.
Earlier, the Indian cricket legend shared a heartfelt message for tennis great Roger Federer after the two sporting icons met, celebrating their enduring friendship.
— ANI
Reader Comments
As a tennis fan from the US, it's fascinating to see how cricket icons like Tendulkar and Lara are global sports ambassadors. Their friendship after years of on-field rivalry is a great example for athletes everywhere. Though I wish the article mentioned more about the actual matches! 😅
Honestly, I wish we could see more of this cultural exchange. Sachin and Lara together in the Royal Box, Shubman Gill there too — it shows how sport transcends boundaries. But one thing that bothers me: why is Indian media always focusing on celebrities in the stands rather than the actual tennis? The semifinals were incredible! 🤷♂️
That moment when Sachin met Federer... 😍 Two GOATs from different sports sharing a moment. As someone who grew up watching both, this is pure joy! I hope Roger was able to give him some tips on how to handle grass courts. 😄
It's wonderful to see our cricket legends enjoying tennis, but I have to respectfully disagree with the overwhelming praise for Sinner. Yes, he played brilliantly, but Djokovic was clearly not at his best — he looked tired and made uncharacteristic errors. Let's not overlook that! Still, what a day for sport. 🇮🇳🎾
As an Indian, seeing Sachin in the Royal Box makes me proud. But let's be real — the article is more about who was in the stands than the actual tennis action. Fery's fight, Zverev's serve, and Sinner's brilliance deserved more detailed analysis. Still, love the spirit of sportsmanship! 🙌