Serbian tennis legend Novak Djokovic expressed his desire to finally meet Indian cricket star Virat Kohli in person, revealing that the two have been in touch for years through text messages and social media but have never met face-to-face. Djokovic, a seven-time Wimbledon champion, shared these remarks on Saturday, June 27, 2026, ahead of his Wimbledon campaign.
Djokovic and Kohli: A Mutual Admiration
“We have not met in person, we have texted, we have been in touch for the last few years, following each other, supporting each other, admiring each other’s careers,” Djokovic said. “Hopefully I will get a chance to meet him in person and play some tennis, play some cricket. I am also planning to come to India soon, so maybe that’s where we can get the link up.” The Serbian icon, who is chasing a record 25th Grand Slam title, hinted that his planned visit to India could be the perfect opportunity for the two sporting icons to finally connect.
Wimbledon 2026: Djokovic's Path to Glory
Djokovic will next compete at Wimbledon, where he is seeded seventh. He has been drawn in the same half as defending champion Jannik Sinner. The tournament, which runs from June 29 to July 12, presents a challenging draw for Djokovic. He begins his campaign against Wu Yibing and could face Stefanos Tsitsipas or Hugo Gaston in the second round, Arthur Rinderknech in the third round, Andrey Rublev or Brazilian Joao Fonseca in the fourth round, and third seed Felix Auger-Aliassime in the quarter-finals if he progresses.
Djokovic, who last won a Grand Slam at the US Open in 2023, is aiming to end his major title drought at the All England Club. A standout first-round match features Taylor Fritz against Jack Draper. Djokovic’s pursuit of a 25th major title adds extra intrigue to the tournament, as he seeks to surpass Margaret Court’s all-time record.
Long-Distance Bond Between Champions
The bond between Djokovic and Kohli has been evident over the years, with both athletes publicly praising each other’s achievements. Kohli, a former Indian cricket team captain and one of the sport’s greatest batsmen, has often been compared to Djokovic in terms of dominance and longevity. Djokovic’s comments underscore the mutual respect shared by two of the world’s most accomplished sports figures.
