"I love Indian people" - Novak Djokovic tells Sania Mirza in an interview | Australian Open

In a recent conversation with Indian tennis star Sania Mirza, World No. 1 Novak Djokovic expressed his desire to inspire Indian children to pursue tennis as a career. Djokovic, known for his passion for the sport, shared his aspiration to be involved in programs specifically aimed at nurturing young talent in India.

"There is a great connection that I feel with India. And, if we go back a very long time in the history of Serbia and India, we can find a lot of similarities and a lot of connections there. I love Indian people," he said.

“I wish to be part of some programs designed particularly for the development of kids in their early childhood because that is something, I’m very passionate about,” Djokovic mentioned during the interview on Sony Sports.

He further added, “That is also the cornerstone of our foundation. I would like to see more children grabbing a racquet and playing tennis. Being a tennis player, seeing that happen will fill my heart with joy.”

Djokovic, in a previous interview, also talked about his admiration for Indian cricket icon Virat Kohli. He revealed his special connection with India, praising the kindness and genuineness of the Indian people. He acknowledged cricket's popularity in India but noted that tennis also enjoys a substantial following across the country.

Reminiscing about his participation in an exhibition match in New Delhi in 2014, alongside Roger Federer and other tennis legends, Djokovic expressed his hope to spend more time in India in the future. “Hopefully, there are many years ahead of me so that I can spend more time in your beautiful country and we can work on the mission of empowering more kids to take up tennis,” he stated.

Djokovic is set to play against France's Adrian Mannarino in the fourth round of the Australian Open 2024 on Sunday.

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