Virat Kohli is the ‘Reason’ Why Novak Djokovic Started Following Cricket: “He’s Someone I Respect and Admire”

Novak Djokovic attended the Laureus World Sports Awards, held in Madrid. There, during his interview with Times Now, Djokovic expressed his wish to visit India and host an event, as he is grateful for all the love and respect that he has received from the Indian fans.

Djokovic was also asked about Indian cricket great Virat Kohli. The 24-time Grand Slam champion, in fact, revealed that Kohli was the reason why he started watching tennis.

Yes, Virat is a friend and someone I, of course, respect and admire. He’s actually, to be honest, the reason why I started following cricket. I hadn’t followed it before, but through him, I started following it more. We keep in touch, and hopefully, when I come, I don’t want to say if, but when I come to India, hopefully, he can join me. We could do a little bit of tennis and a little bit of cricket, have fun, and just spread positive, good vibes while celebrating sport.

Kohli has never won a Laureus World Sports Award, but Djokovic has been given five Sportsman of the Year awards, the last time being in 2024, thanks to his dominance in the previous season. It was in 2023 that Djokovic last won a Grand Slam title and fell short of the historic Calendar Grand Slam due to his defeat to Carlos Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final.

Alcaraz, who also beat the Serb in the 2024 Wimbledon final, was again the reason Djokovic missed his historic 25th Major at this year’s Australian Open final. After his defeat, Djokovic lost to defending champion Jack Draper in the Indian Wells fourth round and has yet to compete in another match. He skipped the Miami Open, Monte-Carlo Masters, and now an injury has forced him to skip the Madrid Open as well.

Novak Djokovic reflects on his Olympics victory

Novak Djokovic has won almost everything there is to win in tennis. The only Big Title that was missing from his trophy cabinet was the Olympic gold medal, but Nole fulfilled his lifelong dream in Paris back in 2024 by defeating Carlos Alcaraz.

But Djokovic still doesn’t feel like he has completed tennis. During his interview with Esquire, the 38-year-old reflected on his Olympic gold medal win.

I went to four Olympic Games, and for a long time, that medal was missing. To win in Paris, at 37, representing Serbia, is without question one of the greatest moments of my career. Standing there, singing the national anthem, holding the gold medal – it’s a feeling that stays with you forever, not just in your memory but in your whole body. I’ve never experienced emotions like that on a tennis court before. The tears just came, naturally. It was very pure, very powerful. But I don’t feel like I’ve ‘completed’ tennis.

It’s uncertain whether Djokovic will be back for the Italian Open. But he is all set to make his return to the French Open, where the last time he won a title was in 2023. Last year on the clay swing, Djokovic, after suffering an opening-round exit in Monte Carlo and Madrid, ended his trophy drought at the Geneva Open by defeating Hubert Hurkacz.

Last year, apart from the Geneva Open, Djokovic also lifted the Hellenic Championship by beating Lorenzo Musetti. The last time he won a Big Title was at the 2024 Paris Olympics. It was also the last time he won a title above the ATP 250 level. Apart from the two ATP 250 trophies last year, Djokovic also reached the Miami Open final and played the semifinals of all four Majors.

Also read: Marta Kostyuk Incredibly Proud After Winning All-Ukrainian Final: “It Was a Historical Moment”

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