Virat Kohli left the sporting fraternity in shock on Monday (May 13) after announcing his retirement from Test cricket. The Indian cricket legend bid adieu to the longest format of the game after a career that lasted for 14 years and saw him become among the greatest players and captains to dawn the whites in history.

Minutes after Kohli's big announcement, tributes started flowing on for him with India's double Olympic medalist Neeraj Chopra among the first to hail his career. The praise from Kohli has come from all corners with people from various countries and fields reserving big praise for him.

Novak Djokovic has become the latest to lavish praise on the Indian cricket legend. The Serbian tennis star took to Instagram and hailed Kohli on his retirement. 'Incredible innings,' wrote Djokovic on his Instagram story.

Djokovic is the most decorated men's tennis player of all time, having won 24 Grand Slams, which is more than any other male tennis star. The Serbian's own retirement has been a source of speculation post Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal's decision to bid adieu to the sport, and a recent run of poor form.

Kohli and Djokovic had recently revealed they had contacted each other on Instagram and developed a friendship.

"Virat Kohli and I have been texting a little bit for a few years. We never got the chance to meet in person, but it was an honour and privilege to listen to him speak nicely about me. I admire his career and his achievements. I started to play cricket. I'm not very good at it. I have a task to perfect my cricket skills before I get to India so that I don't embarrass myself when I am there," Djokovic said on Sony Sports during the 2024 Australian Open.

Kohli revealed that the Serbian wished him when he completed his 50th ODI century during the 2023 Cricket World Cup.

"I got in touch with Novak very organically. When I saw his profile on Instagram, I pressed the message button, I thought I would just message him. Then I saw his message already on my DM."I had never opened it. It was the first time I had opened my own messages. And he's messaged me himself. So first I though,t let me just check, maybe it's a fake account. Then I checked again, it was legitimate. Then we got talking.

"When I got 50th ODI century recently, Novak Djokovic put out a story, and sent me a nice message as well so there is mutual admiration and respect - really nice to connect with global athletes who are excelling at a high level. I have a lot of respect for him and his journey… his passion for fitness is something I dearly follow myself. So there was a lot to connect on," Kohli said on BCCI. TV in an interaction in January 2024.

Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from IPL 2025,IPL Orange Cap, IPL Purple Cap, Most Sixes in IPL, Tennis, Sports and around the world.