Novak Djokovic to visit India: Serbian star hopes to play Tennis and Cricket with Virat Kohli

Novak Djokovic to visit India: Serbian star hopes to play Tennis and Cricket with Virat Kohli originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Novak Djokovic said he and Virat Kohli have texted and supported each other for several years.

The tennis icon hopes to meet Kohli in person and play cricket and tennis in India.

Djokovic has called Kohli a friend and the very reason he started following the sport of cricket.

Novak Djokovic hopes to play Tennis and Cricket with Virat Kohli

Two of the most decorated athletes of their generation could soon bring their worlds together. Speaking at Wimbledon, tennis great Novak Djokovic opened up on his growing bond with India batting icon Virat Kohli and a long-awaited plan to finally meet in person.

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The Serbian revealed that the friendship has so far existed entirely from afar. "We have not met in person. We've texted. We've been in touch for the last few years, following each other, supporting each other, and admiring each other's, you know, careers," Djokovic said of his rapport with the cricketer.

He then spelt out his hope. "Hopefully I'll get a chance to meet with him in person and play some cricket and play some tennis. It'll be nice, and I'm also planning to come to India soon, so maybe that's where we get a link-up," Djokovic added.

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Virat Kohli got Novak Djokovic into cricket

The roots of that admiration run surprisingly deep. Earlier this year at the Laureus World Sports Awards, Djokovic explained, "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."

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For a man raised in Serbia, where cricket barely registers, that was a striking admission. "I hadn't followed it before, but through him, I started following it more," Djokovic said, crediting the India superstar with opening his eyes to the sport entirely.

Djokovic has gone so far as to sketch out what a meeting might look like. "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," he said, framing the idea as a joyful coming together.

It would unite two record-breaking careers. Djokovic is the most decorated man in tennis history. At the same time, Kohli ranks among the finest white-ball batters ever, arriving at this moment fresh from steering Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a second consecutive IPL title this season.

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Novak Djokovic feels a pull to India

The tennis star's affection for India runs well beyond Kohli alone. "See you very soon in India, because I need to go there," Djokovic told Times Now earlier in the year, adding that he feels "very close to the Indian people" after years of their support.

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For now, his focus remains on chasing more history at Wimbledon, where victory would secure a record 25th Grand Slam title. At 38 and still hunting greatness, Djokovic looks every bit as eager to one day share a field and a friendship with Kohli.

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