Watching Alcaraz is like watching Rishabh Pant; they are showmen and you have to expect the unexpected: Sunil Gavaskar
"With Pant, you have to expect the unexpected. Similarly, with Alcaraz, you have got to expect the unexpected. That’s what makes him so exciting,” said Gavaskar.
Beyond the gripping action on the grass courts of the All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon 2025 has already seen some of the globally most reputed names across sports and entertainment occupy the Royal Box.
Besides Virat Kohli, Anushka Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, and Deepak Chahar, Sunil Gavaskar and Rishabh Pant were also spotted at the tennis this week. The two offered insights on the Wimbledon knockouts and weighed in on the performances of Alcaraz, Sinner, Djokovic, and others.
“Every time I am in England around this time, I go to Wimbledon, but I hardly go to Lord’s if India isn't playing there. So yes, one could say that I come here more often than I go to Lord’s. I would like Djokovic to win because it would be his 25th Grand Slam title. Nobody has ever won 25 majors, so that would be fantastic. My heart says Djokovic, but I guess my mind says Alcaraz. Also, Alcaraz, simply because I think Sinner is injured. Whether he's going to be 100% for the remainder of the tournament, we don't know," Gavasar told Star Sports.
Drawing an interesting comparison between Indian cricketer Rishabh Pant and Spanish tennis star Carlos Alcaraz, Gavaskar added: “Alcaraz is moving around so well, and he’s got all the shots in the book. He can be a bit of a showman sometimes, trying those drop shots when you think he should be finishing the point. But that’s what people come to watch, it’s like watching Rishabh Pant. With Pant, you have to expect the unexpected. Similarly, with Alcaraz, you have got to expect the unexpected. That’s what makes him so exciting.”
Speaking about what drew him to Wimbledon, Rishabh Pant said: “A lot of things. The first thing that comes to mind is excitement. You want to experience something as a fan as well, because we are always playing cricket. But here, you get to watch someone who can inspire you. That inspiration comes from athletes, the kind who play tennis. It’s amazing. And I finally get to dress well! We are usually in shorts and t-shirts, so wearing a suit feels good sometimes.”
On his all-time favourite tennis player, Pant added: “It has to be Roger Federer. His backhand, I would watch it again and again. That was something that really brought me to the court. From the current players in this year’s Wimbledon, I really like the new generation. Alcaraz is amazing, the kind of fight he showed in the French Open was incredible. Even when you are in a tough spot, he showed you can still fight back, and he actually won! That was so inspiring. I also like Jannik Sinner. These two are the ones I’m really looking forward to watching.”
Pant draws parallels between tennis and cricket
Reflecting on what cricket and tennis have in common at the highest level, Pant explained: “One thing I would take is mindset. You can play any sport, but if your mindset isn't right, you can’t make it to the top. That’s the difference between a good player and an excellent one. It sets you apart.”
Download Our App