Although cricket is not widely followed in Serbia, tennis star Novak Djokovic developed an interest in the sport through his connection with Indian cricket legend Virat Kohli. The two athletes, prominent in their fields, have rarely met in person but have connected through social media, delighting their followers. During the Laureus World Sports Awards, Djokovic shared his respect for Kohli, noting that the cricketer inspired him to follow the game.
In today’s connected world, friendships can form across great distances. Djokovic considers Kohli a friend and maintains regular contact.
“Virat is a friend whom I respect and admire greatly. Honestly, he’s the reason I began paying attention to cricket, which I hadn’t before. We stay in touch, and I hope that when I visit India, he can join me. We could play some tennis and cricket, enjoy ourselves, and promote positive energy through sports,” Djokovic said in an interview.
When asked for a message to Indian fans, Djokovic expressed his longstanding appreciation for the nation and its supporters. He also indicated plans to travel there soon.
“My message is one of love, respect, and gratitude for the support I’ve received from Indian tennis and sports enthusiasts worldwide over the years. I’ve encountered many of them. I’d also say: ‘See you soon in India,’ as I’ve felt drawn to visit for the past few years. I hope to come for an event, a match, or something similar, because I feel a strong bond with the Indian people,” he added.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion also discussed his competition with emerging talents Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
“The rivalry between Sinner and Alcaraz is impressive and distinctive. However, for me, the ‘Big Three’ will always stand as the pinnacle,” Djokovic commented.
