As the world of tennis prepares for another edition of WimbledonIndia wicketkeeper-batsman Saint Samson drew interesting parallels between some of cricket’s greatest icons and modern tennis stars, while also reflecting on India’s recent World Cup successes and the challenge posed by Australia.Speaking in front of most of the grass, Samson was asked which cricketer resembled the tennis legend best. Roger Federer. The Kerala batsman immediately pointed to former Indian captain MS Dhoni, citing the effortless elegance and composure that define the two great sportsmen.“The Roger Federer of cricket? It has to be MS Dhoni. He is very calm and composed in the way he goes about his business. When he conducts himself, he looks effortless but very powerful,” Samson told JioStar.Samson also saw similarities between them Virat Kohli and Spanish sensation Carlos Alcaraz, who emphasizes the aggressive and dynamic nature of his games.“Carlos Alcaraz, on the other hand, is very explosive, as Virat bhai started. Maybe Virat Kohli can be compared to Alcaraz. He is very aggressive and full of power and explosiveness.”The India batsman also looked back at a landmark period for Indian cricket when the women’s team lifted their first ODI World Cup before the men’s team followed it up with a T20 World Cup triumph on home soil a few months later.“We were all watching the final. Members of my family and everyone else were glued to the TV. It was a special moment for all of us in the country. We had been waiting for a long time,” said Samson, who was named the Player of the Tournament.“We knew we were capable of winning the World Cup, but while we were so close, we were very far away. I was very happy for all the players in the team. There was so much hard work behind it and so many great stories in the team itself. It was a proud moment for all of us.“I think the standards have been set very high for us. They won the World Cup and they put us on a stage where we felt we could do the same in India. It was a great moment that the two World Cups happened in India and that we won them. So, yes, that victory definitely played a role.”With the Indian women’s team currently competing in the T20 World Cup in England and preparing to take on six-time champions Australia, Samson acknowledged the legacy of the Australian side while noting how India’s stature has changed over the years.“A lot of respect goes to the Australian team. I think the reason we hold them in such high regard is because they were the most dominant cricketing nation when we were growing up.“Every World Cup seemed to be won by Australia. But now, I think the roles have reversed. We are the champions, and we play and compete with the same attitude. So, yes, there is a lot of respect for them as an opponent.”Former Indian tennis player Rohan Bopanna also weighed in at Wimbledon, naming defending champion Jannik Sinner as his pick for the men’s crown and Elena Rybakina as his favorite for the women’s title.“It’s such a tough question; the field is so open. But I’m going to go with defending champion Jannik Sinner for the men’s tournament. Among the women, I’d pick Elena Rybakina,” he said.Bopanna also spoke about the special place Wimbledon holds in his career and memories.“Wimbledon is a magical dream because I grew up watching only this. At home, we only had to watch Wimbledon. In fact, the television broadcasts only Wimbledon.“So for me to go there and not only be present, but also play on those courts was absolutely amazing. I also played in an era when the three greatest tennis players of our generation, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovicthey were competing.“Sharing the locker room with them and just being there was better than a dream, actually.”
