[Watch] Sachin Tendulkar receives a hero’s welcome at Wimbledon
Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar got a hero’s welcome at Wimbledon at Centre Court on Saturday, July 6. The 51-year-old was attending the third-round match between Cameron Norrie and Alexader Zverev.
In a video shared by Wimbledon on X, the announcer introduced World Cup champion Tendulkar in grand style before he got a round of applause at Centre Court. Tendulkar folded his hands for the special gesture.
Wimbledon wrote on X:
“It's great to welcome you back to Centre Court, @sachin_rt.”
Watch the video below:
Tendulkar was among other international cricket stars, including England great Joe Root and reigning captains Ben Stokes (Tests), and Jos Buttler (ODIs and T20Is), at the venue. The legend was seated in the front seat, unlike the above-mentioned players.
Former and current international cricketers are a common sight at Wimbledon – one of the four calendar grand slams takes place in England every year. Former India captains MS Dhoni, Sunil Gavaskar, Ravi Shastri, Dinesh Karthik, and other Indian players have also attended previous Wimbledon matches.
Tendulkar shares a good friendship with tennis legend Roger Federer, who has won 20 Grand Slams. Federer, who has eight Wimbledon titles, was also in the stands at Centre Court on Saturday.
"I’ve always been a huge fan of Roger Federer" - Sachin Tendulkar
In an old interview, Sachin Tendulkar revealed how Roger Federer indirectly helped him stay positive during his lean patch in 2005. Citing the example of an Australian Open clash between Federer and Rafael Nadal, he said (via Economics Times):
“I was one of those guys who didn’t want the match to end. The quality of tennis was just incredible. I’ve always been a huge fan of Roger Federer. I had a lot of injuries and there were some tough times. I think in 2005 or 2006, at one of the press conferences, I was asked, ‘When are you going to retire?’ And the best years [of my playing career] came after that."
"The biggest thing in my life — the 2011 World Cup — came after that. I could actually understand what both those athletes were feeling," Tendulkar added.
Sachin Tendulkar, who has the most runs in international cricket, was part of India’s 2011 ODI World Cup-winning team.