Virat Kohli gives a stunning take while comparing tennis to India-Pakistan World Cup clashes: 'I have a lot of respect for them'

Former India cricket captain Virat Kohli has shared his thoughts on the intense pressure athletes face, saying that the kind of mental and physical pressure tennis players deal with regularly is similar to what Indian cricketers experience during World Cup knockouts or high-stakes matches against Pakistan.

Kohli, who recently retired from Test cricket, was speaking during a visit to Wimbledon with his wife Anushka Sharma. Kohli said that while cricketers feel that pressure occasionally, tennis players go through it more often in big tournaments, especially in knockout stages.

“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,” Kohli said during the interview telecast on ‘Star Sports’.

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“But these players might be facing that from the quarterfinal onwards to the final, which I think is a lot of pressure to handle. I have a lot of respect for tennis players for playing with that composure and maintaining that level of fitness and mental toughness,” added the superstar, who spends considerable time in London during his breaks from the game.

10-years since his last #Wimbledon outing, #ViratKohli shares his thoughts on coming back to enjoy the action on Centre Court! 🎾#Wimbledon2025 👉 Watch all the action LIVE on Star Sports Network & JioHotstar pic.twitter.com/dEUFVamMlH

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) July 8, 2025

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Kohli bats for Djokovic

Kohli hoped that Serbian legend Novak Djokovic wins this year’s Wimbledon for a record 25th Grand Slam.

“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.” Kohli also said his dream final would be between Djokovic and Spanish star Carlos Alcaraz, the two-time defending champion here.

“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, the maximum number of Grand Slams and he deserves it,” he signed off.

(With agency inputs)