EXCLUSIVE: Candidate winner Gukesh D 'would like to meet' tennis star Novak Djokovic

India's Gukesh D, who recently became the youngest player to win the FIDE Candidates tournament, wants to meet Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic and said that he is one of the best sportspersons in the world. Gukesh made the comments in an exclusive chat with WION.

"I am a huge fan of Djokovic. I am really glad he won the Laureus award. I beefily saw the headlines when I was traveling and he completely deserve it. He's one of the greatest sportspersons in my opinion I would love to meet him and do anything like play chess or tennis just to discuss things with him. It would be amazing if happens," said Gukesh.

Hello @DjokerNole,

17-year-old FIDE Candidates winner Dommaraju Gukesh is a huge fan of yours and wants to meet you before the #WorldChessChampionship match to get some tips.

Could you please make that happen?

* Here's #DGukesh's interview with @DiggySinghDeo on WION pic.twitter.com/qqO99tLYGb — WION (@WIONews) April 25, 2024

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Notably, Djokovic recently won the prestigious Laureus Sportsperson of the Year award (male) 2024.

Also Watch:Candidates champion Gukesh D receives hero's welcome upon India return

As for Gukesh, he qualified for the World Championship Final with the win in Candidate 2024 tournament, becoming only the second player from India to do so. He'll be facing China's Ding Liren later in the year in chess' biggest tournament. Before him, only Viswanath Anand had qualified for the World Championship.

The Indian star had entered the tournament as the third youngest behind legends Bobby Fischer and Magnus Carlsen. Gukesh, however, went one step up to win the whole tournament despite not being considered a favouriteby many.

Upon his return to India, he was greeted by hundreds of students from the Velammal Vidyalaya, the school where he studies. The crowd gathered an hour before his plane landed at 3 am and was immediately flanked from all sides as some garlanded the teenager.

"It's good to see so many people enjoy chess...I thank the Tamil Nadu government. I thank my Appa, Amma, coach, friends, family, sponsor and my school for being alongside me and playing an amazing role in helping me win this tournament," he said.