Not Federer, Sampras or Nadal, Sachin Tendulkar’s favourite tennis player is…

Wimbledon 2025 saw another star with Sachin Tendulkar in attendance. He shared his experience of attending Wimbledon, his admiration for tennis greats, and the surprising similarities he finds between cricket and tennis.

On the significance of Wimbledon in his life:
“It’s incredible. Just like people say Lord’s is the Home of Cricket, this is the Mecca of Tennis. I grew up watching Wimbledon, and right from the age of seven or eight, when I started following and understanding a little bit about tennis, it’s always been Wimbledon first and then the rest of the Grand Slams. So for me, this is the ultimate. I’ve spoken to a number of tennis players, and they all rate this tournament right at the top.”

On the iconic Wimbledon atmosphere and its charm:
“I especially love the Royal Box—the atmosphere there is unmatched. It’s the best spot to sit and watch the action unfold. But beyond the matches, you meet so many people and have so many different conversations. When it comes to fashion, there are a number of fashion icons, Hollywood stars, footballers, and athletes around. It’s always a treat to be here because you get introduced to so many new things in life. And for me, learning never stops—I’m still learning.”

On his favorite tennis players, past and present:
“I grew up admiring John McEnroe. I remember all my friends supported Björn Borg, but for some reason, I always backed McEnroe. I would even wear a headband like him, hoping people would call me McEnroe while I walked around with my friends. In more recent years, though, it has to be Roger Federer. I’ve enjoyed watching Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, all of them, but somehow, Roger takes the cake. Among the current players, Carlos Alcaraz really impresses me—his energy is infectious. I love the spring in his legs, his attitude, and the mental toughness he showed at the French Open. That never-give-up mindset is the hallmark of a true champion. Not all tennis players become champions, but the preparation and rigour they go through—I have huge respect for that.”

On the similarities between elite-level cricket and tennis:
“If I have to talk about similarities, the key elements are hand-eye coordination, ball sense, game awareness, and being a step ahead of the opposition. Footwork, in particular, is crucial. In cricket, especially when you’re batting, coordinated footwork matters—and it’s the same in tennis. People often think running between the wickets is just a straight sprint, but it’s really about how quickly you can stop, turn, and accelerate again. Tennis players similarly try to catch each other off balance or wrong-footed. It’s all about swift, effortless movement across the court. That’s when you’re in the best position to play your shots and go on the attack. These are the elements I see in common.”

On the cricketer he’d pick as a doubles partner:
“I’ve played doubles with Yuvraj Singh before. We teamed up against some of our 2003 World Cup teammates, and we ended up becoming champions. So I’d settle for Yuvraj again—no question.”

On picking a tennis player for his playing XI:
“It has to be Roger Federer, because of his connection with cricket—his mother is South African. But beyond Roger, you’ve got Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi, Rohan Bopanna, and Sania Mirza, who have all done exceedingly well here. Indians obviously follow cricket, and what these players have done for Indian tennis is simply remarkable. So, needless to say, they would always be strong contenders.”