Who is Sachin Tendulkar’s favourite tennis player now after years of liking John McEnroe and Roger Federer? And which Indian player would make his Tennis XI?

In more recent years, though, his loyalty shifted to to be Roger Federer. “I’ve enjoyed watching Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, all of them, but somehow, Roger takes the cake,” he would say.

His contemporary favourite? “Among the current players, Carlos Alcaraz really impresses me—his energy is infectious. I love the spring in his 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,” Tendulkar told JioHotstar.

Tendulkar has often been invited to the Royal Box. “I especially love the Royal Box—the atmosphere there is 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. 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.”

He likened Wimbledon to Lord’s and spoke of why it was the Grand Slam he prized over the other three.

Greatness meets greatness! 🤩

The Master Blaster, @sachin_rt, graces Wimbledon as he reflects on childhood memories, his tennis idols, and current favourites! 🎾✨#Wimbledon2025 👉 Women's Singles Finals | TODAY, 8.30 PM onwards, LIVE on Star Sports Network & JioHotstar! pic.twitter.com/pf1RAlb5Ay

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) July 12, 2025

“It’s 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. 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 said.

Tendulkar stressed on the importance of coordinated footwork in both sports. “If I have 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,” he said.

Known for his aggressive running between the wickets which he took as seriously as strokeplay, Tendulkar said, “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 batting legend known for running plenty of frenzied doubles. “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 furthered the comparison.

Tendulkar also revealed who he would pick as his doubles partner. “I’ve 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.”

JioHotstar asked him to pick a Tennis XI. It has to be 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.”