The historic grass courts of the All England Club have long drawn cross-sport royalty, and wimbledon 2026 The Championship was no exception. Taking a breather from the tough cricket calendar, the Indian wicketkeeper-batsman sanju samson Made a high-profile trip to London to enjoy the electric atmosphere of Center Court. Taking part in the tournament with the former all-rounder Yuvraj Singh And fellow national teammate, Samson joins a prominent contingent of Indian cricket icons celebrating elite athletic mastery.
During his exclusive interaction at the prestigious event, the CSK opener opened up about his deep admiration for tennis. Apart from simply enjoying high-stakes matches, Samson shared how the mental fortitude and physical dedication of the world’s best tennis players greatly influences his own outlook on professional cricket.
Sanju Samson talks about the tennis greats who inspired him
For Samson, his appreciation of tennis began in his childhood, strongly influenced by his family’s love for the sport. “Certainly, a lot of them, I think I was just telling… My parents were big Andre Agassi fans, so they used to tell me a lot of stories about him“ Samson shared when asked about his primary sporting inspirations on Star Sports.
However, as he transitioned into a professional athlete, his focus shifted towards era-defining modern legends. “When we grew up, I think it was Nadal, Federer and more recently it is Novak Djokovic” he commented.
Samson specifically pointed to the 24-time Grand Slam champion novak djokovic As a blueprint for overall athletic excellence. “I think the way he handles himself on and off the field is definitely a big inspiration for all the athletes around the world.“
Samson emphasized that what viewers see on television is merely the tip of the iceberg. He expressed great respect for Djokovic’s extremely careful approach to health and mindfulness. “Being a player myself, it’s definitely not what you see on television, it’s much, much more than what you do outside the screen – how you prepare yourself, how you recover, what mental games you play inside the field, how you take care of your body, mind.“he adds.
For the Indian cricketer, Djokovic’s vocal advocacy for mental health and physical protection is an important lesson for his own career. “I’ve seen him talk a lot about how he takes care of his mind and also takes care of his body. So, I think this is definitely a big learning not only for me but for all the athletes around the world. So, thank him for what he is doing for all of us“
Here is the video:
It’s all about the work behind the scenes!
Sanju Samson tells how watching Nadal, Federer, Djokovic and Agassi shaped his mindset and affected his game.#wimbledon 2026 | Live now on Star Sports and JioHotstar pic.twitter.com/H1KWCV3bKC
– Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) 12 July 2026
Samson picks his favorite among the new tennis stars
While veteran greats shaped his fundamental understanding of sportsmanship, Samson is also currently keeping a close eye on the next generation taking over the reigns of the ATP Tour. When asked which young player catches his attention the most, the handsome batsman did not hesitate in choosing the Spanish sensation carlos alcaraz.
“Alcaraz, actuallySamson said excitedly. He said the young multi-slam champion brings an unmatched charisma and intensity to the court that matches his own approach to the dynamic game.I really like the energy he brings to the court. I think the raw, the youth, the fire that he brings with that smile, with that perfect composure when it matters most.” he concluded.
Bridging the distance between tennis royalty and cricket, Samson’s journey to Wimbledon highlights a universal truth in professional sports: regardless of the equipment or the playing surface, ultimate success is determined by unwavering mental resilience and meticulous preparation behind the scenes.
Also read: Wasim Jaffer explains why Sanju Samson should not bat in the middle order for India
