Just like Lord's is home of Cricket, Wimbledon is mecca of Tennis: Sachin Tendulkar
Sachin Tendulkar also attended the opening day of the third Test between England and India at Lord's.
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Amidst the ongoing third Test between India and England at the iconic Lord's, legendary batter Sachin Tendulkar made a special appearance at Wimbledon 2025. Tendulkar was seen in the Royal Box at the All England Club, watching the men’s singles semifinal between defending champion Carlos Alcaraz and American Taylor Fritz. The former cricketer was in a suit, tie, and sunglasses, along with his wife Anjali and daughter Sara. He even clicked pictures with tennis greats Roger Federer and Björn Borg.
Notably, Wimbledon has long been a favourite venue for Tendulkar, who has regularly attended the Grand Slam over the years. The legendary cricketer shared his love for the tournament and the importance it has brought to his own life and career.
“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.
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," he said during an interaction with Wimbledon's social media team.
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The 52-year-old also revealed his childhood admiration for John McEnroe, and while many of his friends backed Björn Borg, he had a soft corner for McEnroe’s style, even wearing a headband, hoping people would call him McEnroe. However, in recent years, his favorite is Roger Federer, and he also praised the current generation, mentioning Carlos Alcaraz's abilities.
“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,” Sachin added.
SachinTendulkar picks Yuvraj Singh as his doubles partner
Tendulkar also pointed out the similarities between Tennis and cricket, and some aspects play a big role in both sports.
“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 being asked cricketer he’d pick as a doubles partner, Sachin chose Yuvraj Singh. “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,” he further added
He also picked Federer to be 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,” Tendulkar concluded.
Meanwhile, a day before the semifinal, Tendulkar was honoured at Lord’s, where his portrait was unveiled at the prestigious MCC Museum. Created by artist Stuart Pearson Wright, the portrait now joins the walls of legends in the iconic Long Room. Furthermore, Tendulkar also rang the Lord’s bell to signal the start of play on Day 1 of the third Test between India and England.
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