Former India cricket captain Virat Kohli has drawn a striking parallel between the high-stakes pressure of tennis Grand Slams and the intensity of India’s World Cup matches against Pakistan, stating that tennis players regularly endure pressure comparable to the most nerve-wracking moments in international cricket.
Speaking during a special interaction with tennis legend Vijay Amritraj at Wimbledon 2025, Kohli reflected on the psychological demands of elite sport. “The intimidation factor and the pressure that replicate for us in a World Cup match between India and Pakistan, or a semifinal or final, is immense—your legs are shivering,” he said. “But these [tennis] players might be facing that from the quarterfinals onwards, which is a lot of pressure to handle. I have a lot of respect for them for maintaining that composure and mental toughness”.
Kohli, who recently retired from T20 Internationals and Test cricket, emphasized the unique challenges of cricket, including the unpredictability of match situations and the limited opportunities for redemption. “In cricket, you get only one chance. One mistake and you’re done for the day. But in tennis, players can be down two sets and still come back to win,” he noted.
He also remarked on the contrasting atmospheres of cricket stadiums and tennis courts, describing Wimbledon’s Centre Court as more intimidating due to the crowd’s proximity. “In cricket, fans are far from the pitch, so you can zone out. But at Centre Court, the crowd is right there—it’s intense,” Kohli explained.
A long-time admirer of tennis, Kohli expressed his support for Novak Djokovic, hoping the Serbian legend clinches his 25th Grand Slam title. He revealed that he and Djokovic have exchanged messages and praised the champion’s grace and longevity. Kohli’s dream final? Djokovic versus defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, with Djokovic lifting the trophy.
Kohli’s remarks have resonated across the sporting world, highlighting the shared mental rigor across disciplines and offering a rare glimpse into the mindset of one of cricket’s modern greats.
