Tennis News

Novak Djokovic and Virat Kohli’s online friendship warms hearts, legends hail each other’s greatness

Virat Kohli, the Indian cricket maestro, and Novak Djokovic, the Serbian tennis titan, may hail from different worlds, but their sporting prowess unites them as icons of their respective games.

Kohli, with his audacious batting and fiery passion, is a phenomenon. His on-field brilliance, indomitable spirit, and global impact solidify his place as one of the greatest the game has ever seen. Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, is no stranger to dominance. His unwavering focus and mental fortitude have powered him to the top of the tennis rankings for a record 373 weeks.

While their chosen battlegrounds differ, the parallels in their journeys are striking. Both started young, displaying unparalleled talent and unwavering dedication. Both faced doubters and setbacks, only to emerge stronger, redefining excellence with each triumph.

Kohli, and Djokovic heap praise on each other

The internet has been buzzing with excitement after Djokovic and Kohli publicly gushed about their mutual admiration and blossoming friendship. Their virtual bromance, fueled by years of text-buddies, has taken a heart-warming turn with hopes of an in-person meeting soon.

In a recent interview with Sony Sports Network, Djokovic shed light on this unexpected camaraderie. “We’ve been in touch for years,” he revealed, his voice tinged with a hint of longing, “though we haven’t had the chance to meet in person yet.” The tennis virtuoso then proceeded to shower Kohli with praise, extolling his achievements and lauding him as an “absolute legend.”

Adding another exciting layer to this digital camaraderie, Djokovic expressed his desire to visit India soon. “I have been to India only once so far in my life. It was, I think, 10 or 11 years ago. I came to play an exhibition event in New Delhi for two days. It was a very short stay. So, I really hope that I will be able to come back in the near future,” he said, a glint of anticipation in his eyes. However, with a chuckle, he admitted, “Let’s say I will have a task to perfect my skills before I get to India so that I don’t embarrass myself when I am there.”

Now, with the Indian Cricket Board releasing a video, Kohli shed light on the serendipitous beginnings of their unlikely camaraderie. “I got in touch with Novak very organically,” Kohli revealed with a smile. “I was just looking at his profile once and just happened to press the message button. I thought I’ll just say hello maybe.” Little did he know, a message already awaited him from the tennis champion. This chance encounter sparked a regular exchange of texts, fostering a bond of mutual respect and admiration.

In a delightful twist, Kohli revealed that Djokovic had sent him a “nice message” congratulating him on this monumental achievement. “When I got my 50th century recently, he put up a story and sent a nice message as well,” he said before adding connecting with global athletes was indeed a good thing.