The grounds of Wimbledon’s Centre Court witnessed a star-studded spectacle on July 7, 2025, as Indian cricket icon Virat Kohli and his wife, Bollywood actress-producer Anushka Sharma, graced the stands to cheer on tennis legend Novak Djokovic during his thrilling Round of 16 match at Wimbledon 2025. The power couple’s presence, alongside other sporting luminaries like Roger Federer, Joe Root, and James Anderson, added an extra layer of glamour to an already electrifying atmosphere.

Virat Kohli’s viral Instagram story for Novak Djokovic

The match was a showcase of Djokovic’s resilience and champion mindset. Up against 11th seed Alex de Minaur, he lost the first set 6-1—the first time he’d dropped a Wimbledon set by such a margin. De Minaur dominated early, but Djokovic regrouped and displayed his trademark poise to take the next three sets 6-4, 6-4, 6-4, reaching his 16th Wimbledon quarterfinal and surpassing Federer’s record.

The turning point came in the fourth set when Djokovic trailed 1-4. Staying calm under pressure, he stormed back with five straight games to clinch the win, stunning the Centre Court crowd.

Clearly impressed by Djokovic’s gritty comeback, Kohli took to Instagram to express his admiration. He posted a picture from the match on his story, writing, “What a match. It was business as usual for the gladiator @djokernole,” with clapping emojis. Calling Djokovic a “gladiator” captured the Serbia player’s trademark resilience and fighting spirit, a sentiment that resonated with fans. Kohli’s story quickly gained traction and went viral across social media platforms.

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Djokovic responds to Kohli’s tribute with heartfelt message

Djokovic, known for his active and engaging presence on social media, didn’t let Kohli’s gesture go unnoticed. He reshared the cricketer’s Instagram story on his own account, adding a warm and appreciative message: “Thank you for supporting.” The heartfelt exchange between two of the greatest athletes in their respective sports sparked a wave of excitement online. Fans across the globe flooded social media with reactions, hailing the moment as a “GOAT-level crossover” and celebrating the mutual respect between the tennis legend and cricket superstar.

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