Former Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli believes that the pressure tennis players face regularly is comparable to the intense pressure experienced by Indian cricketers during World Cup matches against Pakistan. Kohli, who recently witnessed Wimbledon action with his wife, actress Anushka Sharma, shared his insights during a conversation with tennis legend Vijay Amritraj.

Kohli emphasized the unique challenges of both sports. While cricketers experience immense pressure in high-stakes matches like World Cup semi-finals or games against Pakistan, where "your legs are shivering because of sheer pressure," tennis players endure similar levels of pressure consistently from the quarter-finals onwards. He expressed immense respect for tennis players, acknowledging their composure, fitness, and mental fortitude in handling such pressure.

Kohli elaborated on the differences in how pressure manifests in cricket and tennis. In cricket, players often spend considerable time waiting in the dressing room, with the game situation constantly evolving. Conversely, tennis provides more set conditions, but with every point having the potential to shift the momentum. He noted that in cricket, the distance between the players and the fans allows players to get lost in their own space, whereas in tennis, "everything's on the line and can change with a point".

Kohli's comparison highlights the mental toughness required in both sports. While the infrequency of high-pressure cricket matches amplifies the intensity, the constant pressure in tennis demands exceptional composure and resilience. He suggested that the "intimidation factor and the pressure" that an Indian cricketer faces in a World Cup match against Pakistan is akin to what tennis players experience regularly. This perspective underscores the psychological challenges athletes face in their respective domains.