Novak Djokovic used the spotlight at the 2026 Laureus World Sports Awards to underline his closeness to Indian cricket, praising Virat Kohli and speaking warmly about the “love and respect” he feels from fans across the world. The tennis great, who was co-hosting the night with freestyle skiing star Eileen Gu, also hinted that a trip to India is now on his near-term agenda.
Quick facts
- Novak Djokovic attended the 2026 Laureus World Sports Awards as a host.
- Eileen Gu was his co-host at the ceremony.
- Djokovic praised Virat Kohli and said Kohli sparked his interest in cricket.
- Djokovic shared that he has felt “a calling” to visit India for the past couple of years.
- He said his message to India is love, respect, appreciation—and “see you very soon in India.”
- Carlos Alcaraz was named Sportsman of the Year at Laureus 2026.
- Aryna Sabalenka was named Sportswoman of the Year at Laureus 2026.
- The awards ceremony took place at Cibeles Palace in Madrid.
On the red carpet ahead of the awards, Djokovic was asked what he wanted to tell India. He said his message has always been gratitude for the support he has received from Indian tennis and sports followers over the years, adding that he has met many of them during his time on the tour.
He then made his intentions even clearer, saying he wants to head to India soon. Djokovic described it as a genuine pull he has felt for the last couple of years, and suggested he hopes to attend in person—whether that means hosting an event, playing a match, or simply being there to connect with people.
“My message is always love, respect, and appreciation,” Djokovic said, explaining that he truly feels close to the Indian public. He added that he wants to tell fans to expect him “very soon in India,” because he wants to go there himself.
Kohli credited for sparking Djokovic’s cricket interest
Djokovic also revealed that Kohli’s influence goes beyond admiration. The Serbian champion said Kohli is a friend he respects deeply, and claimed that Kohli was effectively the reason he began following cricket in the first place.
He explained that he had not followed the sport initially, but after connecting with Kohli’s world, his interest grew. Djokovic added that they keep in touch and suggested that when he visits India, Kohli could join him for a bit of fun—mixing tennis and cricket together and celebrating sport with a positive vibe.
In the background, the Laureus 2026 ceremony itself was dominated by tennis as the global stage celebrated top performers from across athletics and beyond. Carlos Alcaraz was crowned Sportsman of the Year, while Aryna Sabalenka received the Sportswoman of the Year honour.
The star-studded event was hosted at the iconic Cibeles Palace in Madrid, with the night marking a broad celebration of excellence across international sport. And while the awards spotlight moved across disciplines, Djokovic’s remarks ensured cricket—and Kohli’s impact—stayed firmly in the frame.
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