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Djokovic Credits Kohli for Cricket Fandom, Plans India Crossover Event

Tennis legend Novak Djokovic has opened up about his friendship and admiration for Indian cricket star Virat Kohli. He revealed that Kohli was the reason he began following the sport of cricket. Djokovic expressed a strong desire to visit India and host a special crossover event combining tennis and cricket with Kohli. The mutual respect between the two sports icons was highlighted by Kohli attending Djokovic's Wimbledon match and Djokovic paying tribute to Kohli's Test retirement.

Key Points: Djokovic: Virat Kohli Reason I Started Following Cricket

  • Djokovic calls Kohli a friend and inspiration
  • Reveals Kohli is why he started following cricket
  • Proposes tennis-cricket event in India
  • Kohli watched Djokovic at Wimbledon 2025
  • Djokovic shared tribute for Kohli's Test retirement
2 min read

Virat is a friend, someone I respect & admire; he is the reason I started following cricket: Djokovic

Novak Djokovic reveals Virat Kohli inspired his cricket fandom and proposes a tennis-cricket crossover event when he visits India.

"Virat is a friend and someone I, of course, respect and admire. - Novak Djokovic"

New Delhi, April 21

Serbian tennis great Novak Djokovic opened up on his friendship with Indian cricket stalwart Virat Kohli and revealed that it was Kohli because of whom he started watching cricket and expressed a desire to crossover between tennis and cricket involving the two legends when he visits India.

Last year at Wimbledon 2025 on July 7, alongside his wife, Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma, Kohli witnessed Djokovic's thrilling round of 16 win against Australia's Alex de Minaur and later took to Instagram to share his excitement, posting a heartfelt story for the Serb. "What a match. It was business as usual for the gladiator, @djokernole," Kohli had shared on X.

"Virat is a friend and someone I, of course, respect and admire. He is actually, to be honest, the reason why I started following cricket. When I come to India, hopefully he can join, and then we could do a little bit of tennis, a little bit of cricket, and have fun and just spread positive, good vibes with people and celebrate sport," Djokovic was quoted as saying by Times Now on the sidelines of the Laureus World Sports Awards.

Last year in May, when Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket, the 24-time Grand Slam winner spared a moment to pay his respects to the batting stalwart. He took to his Instagram and reshared the Indian batter's Instagram post regarding his retirement, adding a tag that reads, "Incredible innings @virat.kohli."

Djokovic also shared a heartfelt message for his Indian fans, expressing deep gratitude for the "love, respect, and appreciation" he has received from tennis and fans across the globe.

"My message is always love, respect, and appreciation for, first of all, all the support over the years that I personally have been receiving from all the Indian tennis fans and Indian sports fans around the world. There are so many that I've been meeting all this time.

"And my message would also be 'See you very soon in India because I need to go to India' I've been feeling a calling to come for the last couple of years. So I really hope that I'll be able to come to India and do an event, play a match, or whatever it is. I really wish for that because I feel very close to Indian people," Djokovic added.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Novak's words about feeling a "calling" to come to India are so genuine. We would welcome him with open arms! Imagine a charity match with him and Virat... tickets would be sold out in seconds.
R
Rohit P
Respect from one GOAT to another. But honestly, I wish our sports bodies would be more proactive in organizing such events. We have the stars and the audience, but often lack the execution. Hope this happens soon!
S
Sarah B
As a tennis fan living in Mumbai, this is incredible news! Djokovic acknowledging Indian fans' support is heartwarming. The sports culture here is passionate, and he would feel right at home.
V
Vikram M
King Kohli's influence knows no bounds! From inspiring millions of kids in India to now inspiring the greatest tennis player. What a time to be a sports fan. Jai Hind!
K
Karthik V
The mutual admiration society 😄. On a serious note, such cross-sport friendships are great for promoting sportsmanship and unity. Hope they collaborate for a junior sports initiative when Novak visits.

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