WATCH | Wimbledon: Sachin Tendulkar continues ‘ten-year’ tradition, cheers on Roger Federer – When legends unite.
Sachin Tendulkar seated in the Royal Box on Centre Court during Roger Federer’s semi-final clash with Tomas Berdych at Wimbledon 2017. Seen here glancing at tennis legend Rod Laver. (AFP)
Roger Federer, eyeing a record eight Wimbledon title, booked his place in Sunday’s final by outclassing Tomas Berdych in the semi-final on Friday. Cheering him on from the Royal Box was none other than Sachin Tendulkar. The cricket icon had his wife Anjali for company.
Speaking to the Wimbledon channel, Sachin said, “I’ve been watching Roger for the last 10 years. Here I am to support Roger. He is a down to earth, humble man.”
"I've been watching Roger for the last 10 years. Here I am to support Roger."@sachin_rt is back at #Wimbledon. pic.twitter.com/NBWm7pugfG
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 14, 2017
Sachin Tendulkar, who is a close friend of the former world number one, has been attending Roger’s matches earlier as well. The duo first met in 2011 and since then have forged a close bond. It is well known that both the players have a lot of mutual admiration.
Earlier, when Roger Federer visited India, he personally invited Sachin Tendulkar for his IPTL match against Rafael Nadal in New Delhi.
“Sachin Tendulkar is the Indian sports person I admire the most. I met him when he visited Wimbledon. He was a lot of fun to talk to – and he is a legend. Whenever I play cricket video games, I always pick Sachin as my batsman.”, Federer had said back then.
At this time of the month every year, Tendulkar normally spends some time in London. He always makes it a point to drop in at the SW19 to watch the likes of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal live in action. Meanwhile, he is not the first cricketer to attend the Wimbledon this year. Former England captain Alastair Cook was at the Wimbledon 2017 Centre Court for the match between Garbine Muguruza and Svetlana Kuznetsova.
Roger Federer, who has now reached 29 grand slam finals, winning 18, will face Marin Cilic in the final on Sunday.
