India all-rounder Deepti Sharma has named Novak Djokovic as her favourite tennis player after a trip to Wimbledon, and compared him with MS Dhoni.
The 28-year-old told JioStar that seeing Wimbledon had long been on her bucket list. Experiencing the crowd, atmosphere and energy in person made it more special, and watching live gave her a different view of a sport she has followed for years.
Why Djokovic
Asked for a favourite, she chose Djokovic without hesitation. She admired the 24-time Grand Slam champion’s fighting spirit, mental strength and refusal to give up, and said his performances still inspire her.
She grew up watching Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, she said, but Djokovic is the player she has followed most closely in recent years.
The Dhoni comparison
Deepti linked Djokovic with former India captain MS Dhoni, pointing to their shared ability to stay calm and composed under pressure. Both, she said, remain mentally strong in the toughest moments and find a way through, and young athletes can learn from how they handle such situations.
Dream Wimbledon company
The Player of the Tournament at the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup also named three people she would most like to watch a Wimbledon match with: Sachin Tendulkar, Ravi Shastri and Sunil Gavaskar. She said their sporting knowledge and insight would make the experience memorable.
