New Delhi:
The meeting between Virat Kohli and Roger Federer, two legends of their respective sport during the Australian Open in 2019 had set the internet on fire. Kohli has made no secret about how he used to admire Federer as a sportsman. Federer, on the other hand, is one of the all-time greats in tennis and was gunning for his 21st Grand Slam title and record seventh Australian Open title. Kohli and the Indian cricket team were on the ultimate high after becoming the first Indian team to win a bilateral ODI series in Australia. Now, in the series against New Zealand, Kohli opened up on his meeting with Federer and he was left in awe.
“It was amazing. I’ve met him a couple of times before and the fact that he remembered me was crazy. He told me he met me in Sydney a few years back when he was playing an exhibition match and I was like, ‘Wow, he remembers me!’ I can’t explain that feeling. I’ve watched him play since I was a child. He’s a great tennis player but also a great man and a great human being,” Kohli told Sky Sports.
When asked about what was the major topic of discussion, Kohli said it was all about mental strength when approaching sports. “We were talking about mindsets in sport, how he prepares, what he thinks about his sport. It was a beautiful, beautiful time,” Kohli said.
The Indian skipper has enjoyed a remarkable time Down Under with bat as well his captaincy. He helped India secure a Test series win in Australia for the first time ever. The right-hander slammed a century in tough conditions in Perth and it was thanks to Cheteshwar Pujara’s centuries in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney that helped India win the series 2-1. The good run continued in ODIs as Kohli smashed a century in Adelaide and India won a bilateral ODI series for the first time ever.
Kohli went to New Zealand and India won the first three games in Napier and at the Bay Oval to take an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series as India sealed a series win in New Zealand after 10 years. On the other hand, Federer’s quest for a record 21st Grand Slam was halted when he lost in the fourth round when he lost to Stefanos Tsitsipas 7-6 (11), 6-7 (3), 5-7, 6-7 (5).
