In a revelation that has left sports fans intrigued, the tennis icon novak djokovic Has revealed about his unexpected connection with cricket. The 24-time Grand Slam champion, who is considered one of the greatest tennis players of all time, admitted that his interest in the sport was sparked by none other than the Indian cricket superstar. Virat Kohli.
The driving force behind Novak Djokovic’s cricket interest
speaking in laureus world sports awards 2026 In Madrid, Djokovic shared that cricket was never on his radar before his friendship with Kohli. The Serbian legend cited 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 I started following cricket, so through him, I started following it more,” Djokovic said during a conversation with Times Now.
He further explained that his association with cricket gradually grew through his interactions with Kohli. What started as a personal connection soon turned into genuine interest, with Djokovic now following the game and its development.
“We keep in touch and when I come to India, hopefully he can join and then we can play a little tennis, a little cricket – just spread positive emotions with people and celebrate the game.” Added Djokovic.
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 relationship, keeping in touch regularly and celebrating each other’s achievements. Kohli once revealed that their friendship began through social media when both the athletes attempted to connect through Instagram at the same time. That initial conversation laid the foundation for a unique cross-sport friendship.
Their mutual respect is rooted in shared values—elite fitness, discipline and mental flexibility. Both athletes are known for pushing the limits of physical excellence and maintaining peak performance levels for over a decade. Djokovic has also publicly acknowledged Kohli’s achievements, notably congratulating him after his historic 50th ODI century, highlighting the genuine admiration between the two.
From praise to action plans in India
Djokovic’s interest in cricket is no longer limited to watching from a distance. The tennis legend has expressed a strong desire to visit India in the near future and possibly share the field with Kohli.
He also joked about preparing his cricket skills in advance to avoid any embarrassment, which shows his enthusiasm to actively engage with the game. More interestingly, Djokovic came up with the idea of a “tennis-meets-cricket” collaboration event, where both athletes can showcase their talents and promote positivity through the game.
If such an event does materialize, two huge fan bases would come together and celebrate the universal appeal of athletic excellence.
While Djokovic is known for his dominance on the tennis court, he has already shown glimpses of his cricket curiosity. During an exhibition with the Australian cricketer steve smith In Melbourne, Djokovic surprised fans by raising the bat and crossing the line with an impressive shot. The moment, though light-hearted, was indicative of his natural athletic ability and willingness to accept new sporting challenges.
See also: Novak Djokovic praises Steve Smith for tennis skills; the video went viral