Novak Djokovic has revealed that Virat Kohli played a key role in introducing him to cricket. The the 24-time Grand Slam champion, including a record 10 Australian Open titles and seven Wimbledon titles, told Times Now at the Laureus World Sports Awards that the Indian star’s influence drew him toward the sport while also hinting at a potential collaboration during a future visit to India. The Serbian, widely regarded as one of the greatest tennis players of all time, positioned the relationship as both personal and symbolic of a growing crossover between global sporting icons.
Djokovic highlights Kohli’s influence and shared vision
Speaking about his connection with Kohli, Djokovic pointed to the Indian batter’s impact on his engagement with cricket and the potential for a joint appearance in India. Kohli, who has scored over 28,000 international runs and holds the record for most ODI centuries with 54, remains one of the most influential figures in global cricket. He said, “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.”
Wimbledon meeting reflects growing cross-sport connection
Their association has extended beyond social media, including a high-profile moment at Wimbledon in July 2025 when Kohli attended Djokovic’s fourth-round match against Alex de Minaur alongside Anushka Sharma. After witnessing the Serbian’s victory, Kohli shared his reaction publicly on his Instagram story, writing, “What a match. It was business as usual for the gladiator, @djokernole,” reflecting admiration from one global sporting figure to another in a live competitive setting.
Mutual respect reinforced during key career milestone
The exchange of respect has also gone both ways, including when Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket in May 2025. Djokovic responded by resharing the announcement on his Instagram story, adding, “Incredible innings @virat.kohli.”, acknowledging the Indian star’s contribution to the format at a defining moment in his career.
India remains central to Djokovic’s future plans
Beyond individual interactions, Djokovic emphasised his connection with Indian fans and his intention to visit the country, noting the scale of support he has received over the years and his desire to engage more directly. He said, “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,” highlighting both a personal connection and a potential future engagement in one of sport’s largest markets.
Cross-sport influence shapes global fan engagement
With Djokovic and Kohli commanding significant influence in their respective sports, their interactions continue to resonate beyond traditional boundaries, creating opportunities for collaborative moments that bridge audiences across tennis and cricket.
