'You don't hear comments, cheers or boos straight in your ears': Virat Kohli feels tennis is more intimidating than cricket after watching Novak Djokovic's Wimbledon match

Retired from T20Is and Tests, former India captain Virat Kohli was seen witnessing the Wimbledon 2025 Round of 16 match between Novak Djokovic and Alex de Minaur on July 7. Kohli was in attendance with his wife and Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma.

After watching Djokovic get the better of the Australia, Kohli compared the atmosphere of cricket field and a tennis court. He feels that the tennis court is more intimidating for a player as he or she can hear the comments of fans clearly, compared to that of a batter in the middle.

"It’s a lot of pressure (cricket) because there are so many people in the stadium. But I’d say that it’s not as intimidating as the Centre Court because of the distance people are sitting from you. When we are batting on the pitch, the fans are too far away, so you can get lost in your space and do your own thing. You don’t hear comments, the cheers or the boos straight in your ears, it’s only when you are fielding on the boundary but you don’t have the pressure of succeeding or failing with your individual skill," Kohli told Star Sports.

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Kohli said that he respects tennis players for their mental strength, fitness standards.

"But here, everything’s on the line and can change with a point in tennis. The pressure these guys must be feeling… playing on the Centre Court must be tremendous. I have lot of respect for tennis players for that reason — maintaining composure, fitness, and mental strength, it’s truly remarkable," the 36-year-old added.

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However, Kohli feels that there is less margin of error for a batter as one mistake could lead to a dismissal and the player will have to watch the match from the dressing room. In tennis, the players have a chance to make a comeback.

"One more challenge regarding my skills in cricket -- batting -- is that you have got only one chance. You don't have much chance to make a comeback, you make one mistake and you clap for the rest of the day.

"But these guys might be down two sets and a break, but still can come back and win," he said.

Kohli wants Djokovic vs Alcaraz final

Kohli has backed Djokovic to win his record 25th Grand Slam. He hopes for a final between Serb Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz.

"I have been in touch with Novak (Djokovic) for a while now. We have exchanged a few messages and he has been gracious and kind to stay in touch.

"I want Carlos (Alcaraz) and Novak in the final and probably Novak win the title because that would be tremendous for him at this stage of his career, and the whole conversation of being the greatest of all time, maximum number of Grand Slams and he deserves it," he said.

When will Kohli play his next ODI?

Meanwhile, Kohli's return to international arena has been delayed following postponement of India's tour of Bangladesh. His next ODI appearance will be later this year in Australia at Perth Stadium, the venue he crossed the three figures for the last time in red-ball cricket.