In a delightful throwback to one of India's most memorable sports-entertainment crossovers, actor Riteish Deshmukh recently reminisced about the hilarious moment when Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar attempted to outshine tennis legends Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic with an impromptu handstand display. The recollection came during Riteish's appearance on tennis icon Sania Mirza's popular podcast, Serving With Sania, where he shared untold stories from the 2014 International Premier Tennis League (IPTL) visit that brought together Grand Slam royalty and Bollywood's finest.
The Star-Studded Gathering That Blurred Boundaries
The 2014 IPTL Indian leg transformed into a cultural spectacle that went far beyond conventional tennis matches. Designed as a team-based league to bring tennis closer to fans globally, the event saw Federer and Djokovic becoming the centerpiece of a sporting carnival that seamlessly merged athletic excellence with cinematic glamour. Their presence attracted not just dedicated tennis enthusiasts but also film lovers, creating an unprecedented convergence of two worlds that typically operate in separate spheres.
When Akshay Kumar Challenged Roger Federer
Riteish Deshmukh described the atmosphere as "incredible" as he recalled traveling with the group to a farmhouse gathering. "We all went by bus to a farmhouse," he shared on the podcast. "To have tennis legends all around and Aamir played tennis that day. Akshay and I were just pretending to show off."
The actor revealed how he was demonstrating his pickleball skills while Akshay Kumar took a more unconventional approach to impress the tennis greats. "Akshay was busy doing handstands, teasing, 'Jo Roger nahi kar sakta, arey tu kya tennis khelega, ye karke dikha' (What Roger cannot do, how will you play tennis, show me by doing this)," Riteish recounted with evident amusement.
Courtside Collaborations Between Icons
The Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium witnessed remarkable collaborations that erased traditional boundaries between sports and entertainment. Federer and Djokovic shared the court with Bollywood luminaries including Aamir Khan, Deepika Padukone, Akshay Kumar, and Riteish Deshmukh himself in exhibition matches that delighted audiences.
Mixed Doubles with a Bollywood Twist
In one particularly memorable pairing, Deepika Padukone teamed up with Roger Federer for a mixed doubles exhibition match against Novak Djokovic and Sania Mirza. Another fan-favorite moment saw Aamir Khan partnering with Federer in a short doubles match against Mirza and Djokovic. The tennis legends displayed remarkable sportsmanship, humorously adjusting their positions to help the actor who struggled with his serve consistency.
Cultural Exchange Beyond the Court
The IPTL visit extended beyond tennis matches into genuine cultural exchange. Federer enthusiastically embraced Indian traditions, famously tweeting a photograph with a giant traditional naan with the caption "Got naan?" The tennis icon further immersed himself in local culture by learning Bollywood dance moves from Amitabh Bachchan and Deepika Padukone during a star-studded gala event, demonstrating his appreciation for India's rich artistic heritage.
The Podcast That Captures Candid Conversations
Serving with Sania has established itself as a platform for authentic celebrity conversations, featuring unfiltered stories, laugh-out-loud moments, and refreshing perspectives on life, fame, and parenthood. Riteish was joined by his wife, actor Genelia Deshmukh, for the conversation with Sania Mirza, where the couple spoke openly about their relationship, dating years, and individual career journeys. The podcast has previously hosted distinguished guests including Farah Khan, Zakir Khan, and Yuvraj Singh, continuing to bridge diverse fields through genuine dialogue.
This nostalgic recollection from Riteish Deshmukh serves as a charming reminder of when tennis legends and Bollywood stars created magic together, with Akshay Kumar's handstand challenge standing out as a particularly humorous highlight in the annals of sports-entertainment crossovers.
