24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic has warmly acknowledged heartfelt support from Indian cricket icon Virat Kohli amid his ongoing quest for Wimbledon glory. The Serbian standout, chasing a record-equaling eighth Gentlemen's Singles title and a historic 25th major crown, has delivered commanding performances at the All England Club, powering into the quarterfinals. As the tennis world watches Djokovic's pursuit of immortality, he's receiving encouragement from global fans and sporting legends alike.
Among them is Kohli, the revered former Indian cricket captain, who not only attended Djokovic's gripping fourth-round clash but also shared a personal message of admiration. Now, Djokovic has publicly responded to the cricketing superstar's gesture, highlighting the mutual respect transcending their sporting domains.
Novak Djokovic's grateful reply to Virat Kohli's 'gladiator' praise
The touching exchange unfolded on social media following Djokovic's impressive comeback victory over Alex de Minaur on Centre Court. Kohli, who attended the match alongside his wife Anushka Sharma and other luminaries like Roger Federer, Joe Root, and James Anderson, took to his Instagram Stories to share his admiration for the Serbian's performance. Capturing a moment from the match, Virat Kohli penned a supportive message directly addressing Novak Djokovic's resilience and skill:
"What a win! It was business as usual for the gladiator." This characterization of Djokovic as a "gladiator" resonated deeply, encapsulating the fierce determination he displayed on court.
Djokovic, clearly appreciative of the high-profile endorsement from one of cricket's biggest names, noticed Kohli's story. The tennis star reciprocated the gesture publicly by resharing Virat Kohli's Instagram Story post on his own account. Accompanying the repost, Djokovic added a simple yet heartfelt note expressing his gratitude:
"Thank you for supporting."
The match that sparked this exchange was a testament to Novak Djokovic's champion mentality. After a surprising 6-1 loss in the first set to de Minaur, the Serbian legend demonstrated his trademark composure and tactical brilliance. He methodically regained control, winning the next three sets decisively (6-4, 6-4, 6-4) to secure his place in the quarterfinals. In his post-match comments, Djokovic acknowledged the challenging start:
"It wasn’t a great start for me, it was a great start for Alex de Minaur obviously. I kind of reset myself in the second set. I was very pleased to hang in tough in the right moments and win this one."
Virat Kohli's presence and public support added a special dimension to this victory. Witnessed by a star-studded crowd including the eight-time Wimbledon champion Roger Federer, Djokovic's performance under pressure clearly left a lasting impression on the cricketer.
This cross-sport solidarity, showcased through their social media interaction, highlights the universal respect Novak Djokovic commands as he prepares for his quarterfinal clash against Italy's Flavio Cobolli, fueled by global admiration.