London/New Delhi: While Wimbledon 2025 heats up on the hallowed grass courts of the All England Lawn Tennis Club, a different kind of star power is lighting up the stands. Alongside tennis royalty, the Royal Box has hosted some of the biggest names in Indian cricket this week — from Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma to Ajinkya Rahane, Deepak Chahar, Sunil Gavaskar and Rishabh Pant.
In an engaging segment for Star Sports and JioHotstar, cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar and wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant shared their take on this year’s tennis showdowns — and sparked conversation with a unique comparison between Carlos Alcaraz and Pant himself.
“Alcaraz is like Pant — he’s a showman. You’ve got to expect the unexpected,” said Gavaskar. “He moves beautifully and has every shot in the book. Sometimes he pulls off those cheeky drop shots when he should just close the point. But that’s why people come to watch him. It’s the same with Rishabh — he plays audacious cricket, and that unpredictability is thrilling.”
Gavaskar also admitted his fondness for Wimbledon over traditional cricket venues like Lord’s when India isn’t playing, saying, “I come to Wimbledon more than I go to Lord’s. My heart says Djokovic for the title – it would be his 25th Slam, a record – but my mind leans towards Alcaraz, especially since Sinner is carrying an injury.”
Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant — looking dapper in a suit — embraced the experience as both a fan and a student of sport.
“You’re watching athletes who inspire you. Being here is amazing. We’re always in shorts and tees, so dressing up for once also feels great,” said Pant with a laugh.
Sharing his admiration for tennis icon Roger Federer, Pant added, “His backhand – I could watch that forever. Federer was the reason I started following tennis seriously.”
When asked about his current favourites at Wimbledon, Pant was quick to praise Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, noting their resilience and flair. “The way Alcaraz fought back at the French Open was unreal. That kind of grit is inspiring,” he said.
Pant also reflected on what cricket and tennis share at the elite level:
“It all comes down to mindset. That’s the common thread. You can have talent, but without the right mentality, you can’t reach the top. That’s what separates good athletes from great ones.”
With heartfelt tributes to Federer, glowing praise for Alcaraz, and a firm belief in the power of mindset, both Gavaskar and Pant reminded fans that sport — whether on the cricket field or tennis court — is as much about character as it is about skill.
