The former Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli has been rooting for the Serbian star tennis player Novak Djokovic and was present with his wife to watch him play against Australia's Alex de Minaur. Following the match, Kohli took to his Instagram to post a story appreciating Djokovic as a "gladiator." He posted a photo on his story, with a caption saying:
"What a match! It was business as usual for the gladiator."
Reporting the story, Djovic, in his natural humble demeanor, thanked Kohli for supporting him.
Notably, a few years ago, in an interview with SonySports, the Serb star said that he had some online conversation with the Indian cricket star. However, he had yet to meet Kohli in person. Djokovic said,
"Virat Kohli and I have been texting a little bit for a few years and we never got the chance to meet in person, but it was really a privilege and an honour to listen to him speak nicely about me. I obviously admire all of his career and achievements and everything he has done. I started to play cricket. I'm not very good at it, but you know, obviously cricket being a very big, big sport in Australia and of course India... You know, let's say that I'll have a task to perfect my cricket skills before I get to India so that I don't embarrass myself when I'm there."
Read also: Shubman Gill Jokes With Journalist After Edgbaston Win
Alex de Minaur lost tight match to Djoker
Novak started with a set behind. Alex had already won the first set, and then Djokovic started taking control over him. After loosing two consecutive sets to Novak, Alex was ahead by 4-1 in the fourth set, but Novak eventually took control over the match.
The Serb won the match by 1-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4. But at the end of the day, he made sure to praise the Aussie opponent's grit. At least that's what champions do. Novak lauded Alex and said on court,
"I don't know how I'm feeling to be honest. I'm still trying to process the whole match and what happened on the court. It wasn't a great start for me, it was a great start for Alex. He was just managing the play better from the back of the court, and I didn't have many solutions. I was very pleased to hang tough in the right moments and win this one."
With that, Djokovic advanced toward the quarterfinals for the 16th time at the All England Club. There, he will be facing Italy's Flavio Cobolli.
