The mutual respect and admiration between tennis superstar Novak Djokovic and Indian cricket icon Virat Kohli has recently come to the forefront, captivating fans worldwide. Djokovic has revealed that he and Kohli have been texting each other for a few years, although they have never had the chance to meet in person.
The camaraderie between these two sporting legends was further highlighted during Djokovic's recent match at Wimbledon 2025. Kohli, who was in London with his wife Anushka Sharma after his Indian Premier League (IPL) triumph with Royal Challengers Bengaluru in June 2025 and recent Test retirement, attended Djokovic's thrilling round of 16 victory against Australia's Alex de Minaur. Other notable figures, including England cricket stars Joe Root and James Anderson, West Indies legend Brian Lara, and tennis icon Roger Federer, were also present.
Kohli, clearly impressed by Djokovic's resilience, took to Instagram to express his admiration. He shared a story, calling Djokovic a "gladiator" and applauding his comeback after losing the first set. Djokovic, in turn, acknowledged Kohli's support with a simple but heartfelt "Thank you for supporting" message on social media.
Djokovic has spoken about his relationship with Kohli, mentioning that they have texted each other a couple of times and share mutual respect and admiration. He has also expressed his appreciation for Kohli's kind words about him, stating that it was a privilege and an honor to hear them. Furthermore, Djokovic admires Kohli's career and achievements.
The friendship between Kohli and Djokovic began through Instagram. Kohli revealed in a 2024 video that he discovered a message from Djokovic in his DMs. Initially, Kohli was skeptical and checked for a fake account before realizing it was indeed the tennis legend. This led to a texting relationship, with the two exchanging messages and celebrating each other's accomplishments over the years. Djokovic has also reciprocated this admiration, congratulating Kohli on his 50th ODI century in 2023 via Instagram.
Djokovic, who is chasing a record 25th Grand Slam title, has even joked about perfecting his cricket skills before visiting India. He acknowledged cricket's popularity in Australia and India and humorously stated that he needs to improve his game to avoid embarrassing himself when he visits India.
The bond between Kohli and Djokovic exemplifies the mutual respect and admiration that can exist between athletes at the pinnacle of their respective sports. Their shared passion for fitness and relentless pursuit of excellence has resonated with fans worldwide, inspiring them to strive for greatness in their own endeavors.
