I love the spring in Alcaraz’s legs, says Sachin

Cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar shared his Wimbledon experience, likening it to Lord’s in cricket. From admiring McEnroe and Federer to praising Alcaraz’s energy and drawing parallels between tennis and cricket, Sachin highlighted his deep passion for the sport.

HYDERABAD: Cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar made his presence felt at the prestigious Wimbledon Tennis Championship in London, accompanied by his wife and other big names from the world of cricket.

Reflecting on the experience, Sachin said it was 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,” he said.

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“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,” he added.

On the iconic Wimbledon atmosphere and its charm, Sachin said that he especially loved the Royal Box at the Centre Court where the atmosphere was 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,” he said.

“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,” one of the all-time cricketing greats said.

On his favourite tennis players, past and present, Sachin said he grew up admiring John McEnroe. “I remember all my friends supported Bjorn 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,” he said.

“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,” said Sachin whose love for tennis is pretty well-known.

“I love the spring in Alcaraz’s 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,” he said.

On the similarities between elite-level cricket and tennis, Sachin said that if he had 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,” the great Indian cricketer said.

“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,” he said.

On the cricketer he’d pick as a doubles partner, Sachin reminded that he had 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 said.

On picking a tennis player for his playing XI, Sachin said it had to be the Swiss great 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,” he said.