Virat Kohli backs friend Novak Djokovic to win Wimbledon 2025, hopes for Carlos Alcaraz final

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New Delhi: Virat Kohli has made his pick for the Wimbledon 2025 champion as he backs his close friend Novak Djokovic to win the men’s singles title. The Indian cricketer said that his dream final would be between Djokovic and the two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz.

He bats for Djokovic to lift the trophy because that would be tremendous for him at this stage of his career winning a record 25th Grand Slam as he deserves it.

Speaking with Vijay Amritraj from Centre Court, Kohli said, Look, I’ve been in touch with Novak for a while now. We’ve exchanged some messages. He’s been incredibly gracious and kind to stay in touch.” He added, “Given the amount of hard work he’s put in, I really hope he plays Carlos in the final and wins.”

Kohli was accompanied by his wife Anushka Sharma at Centre Court as they catch the Serbian star live. Although Djokovic had to catch his breath at times, he still found a way to get the job done when he made a comeback from 4-1 down in the fourth set to finally win the match.

Later, King Kohli even posted a heartwarming message for the seven-time champion on his Instagram story calling him a “gladiator of the sport”. They have been in constant touch over recent years and have been discussing sport and exchanging ideas.

Comparison between Tennis and Cricket

Kohli even drew parallels between the on-field pressure situations in both games. He believes what tennis players endure week after week can only be compared to the less frequent “intimidation and pressure” that cricketer faces in World Cup knockouts and big matches against arch-rivals Pakistan.

One of the all-time greats in cricket said, “I think the experience (in pressure situations) can be similar. But the intimidation factor and the pressure that would replicate for us in a World Cup game, a World Cup match between India and Pakistan or a semifinal or a final of the World Cup, your legs are shivering because of sheer pressure.”

Different sports offer different challenges calling out cricket offers less chance to stage a comeback into the match as compared to tennis.

Sabalenka to win women’s crown 

Meanwhile, in the women’s draw, he backs Aryna Sabalenka to win the crown, calling out that it would be challenging for others to beat the World No.1 considering her form.

This marks Djokovic’s second trip to Centre Court after ten years as he last visited in 2015 alongside Sachin Tendulkar in the Royal Box.