What happens when two sports heroes from rugby and tennis collide?
The answer is mutual respect and admiration.
Siya Kolisi, captain of the Springboks, and tennis sensation Carlos Alcaraz shared a memorable moment at the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin, Italy, over the weekend.
In a video shared on the social media platform TikTok, Kolisi is seen having a “star-struck” moment after meeting Alcaraz.
The caption of the video reads, ‘@siyakolisi meets @carlitosalcarazz for the first time and the reaction is WILD 😂.’
In the clip, Kolisi is seen fanning himself and almost fainting in a jestful manner.
“He came to me and asked me for a photo. Alcaraz. He came to me! I didn’t go to him. Alcaraz 🫣. Oh my goodness,” Kolisi exclaimed.
The video garnered nearly a million views on TikTok, prompting various reactions from netizens.
User @itsangie_.n commented, “I think Siya sometimes forgets he is Siya Kolisi. 😂 Now I wanna see Carlito’s reaction video. 😂”
Another user, @miss.kittypong, said, “I don’t think the Springboks have ever had an awesome down-to-earth captain like Siya. He is the best in history 🥺🥺❤️❤️❤️❤️.”
User @mo11571 added, “Alcaraz noticed Siya 😭😭I would have screamed too 😂😂😂 Siya is even blushing 😂😂.”
While @iam.ralton remarked, “Great recognises Great! 💜.”
User @mamzo6788 noted, “The way he is so humble. He doesn’t even realise that he is famous himself. Siya ❤️🇿🇦.”
After thrashing Italy, the Springboks, including Kolisi, had the opportunity to attend the ATP Finals.
It was Kolisi’s first time at the finals, and it’s no secret that the rugby player is also a tennis fan.
“I love the atmosphere, I love the people, very friendly, and I love the fact that you can watch the players train too. It’s also quite cool; it gives you a little bit more insight into what’s happening around,” Kolisi revealed.
He also mentioned that he had plans to meet Canadian tennis player Félix Auger-Aliassime.
During an interview on the sidelines of the tournament, when asked who he would like to play him in a biopic, Kolisi expressed a unique wish: he would have liked the late American actor Chadwick Boseman to portray him in a biopic because they share similar hairlines.
