Indian cricket legend Virat Kohli, accompanied by his wife Anushka Sharma, added star power to Wimbledon’s Centre Court as they watched Novak Djokovic deliver a trademark comeback victory in his Round of 16 match against Alex de Minaur. Photos of the couple swiftly went viral, reigniting the famous “10-year challenge” lens comparing their presence now to their first visit in 2015.
Kohli was not just a spectator—he took to Instagram to praise Djokovic’s gritty “business as usual for the gladiator” performance, to which Djokovic responded, “Thank you for supporting” on his story.
The sighting ignited social media debate: while many fans celebrated the camaraderie between sports icons, some felt Kohli should have been on the pitch rather than in the stands. Others underlined that at 36, Kohli has earned the right to assist other athletes after retiring.
Meanwhile, not all attention was positive—Anushka faced online backlash over her appearance, drawing swift support from fans who called out ageist critiques and defended her natural look.