Nadal and Federer more popular? - Djokovic: "Doesn't mean that I am hated"
Novak Djokovic spoke to Serbian media representatives about his relationship with tennis viewers. The first in the world list emphasized that he felt very much appreciated by the fans, even though his two permanent competitors Rafael Nadal and RogerFederer had the majority of the spectators on their side.
by Nikolaus Fink
last edit: Feb 22, 2020, 04:06 pm
Novak Djokovic , Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer - probably never before has a trio mastered tennis as much as these three men. For 15 years now they have been making the big titles almost without exception, the last 13 Grand Slam tournaments went to one of these three exceptional athletes.
There is a big difference between Djokovic, Nadal and Federer. While the hearts of the spectators fly towards the Spaniards and the Swiss, opinions about the Serbian world leader are clearly more divided.
Novak Djokovic disagrees with his father
Novak's father Srdjan thinks he knows the reason for this. "Tennis is a sport for rich people and they cannot accept that someone from poor and small Serbia has become the best tennis player in the past ten years," said the dad of the newly minted Australian Open winner .
His son doesn't want to know anything about it. "I don't like the 'Serbia against the world' stance," he told Serbian media representatives. In addition, it is important to Djokovic not to pour additional "oil into the fire" - even if people don't love him.
The 17-time Grand Slam winner does not have this feeling anyway. "My personal impression is that I get a lot of support and sympathy. When I play against Federer or Nadal, the audience supports them, but that doesn't mean that I am hated and that Serbian viewers should turn against the whole world," said the 32-year-old.
Djokovic wants to be the best ever
Djokovic does not want to invest too much energy in this story, otherwise it would only continue to grow. Rather, the industry leader is currently busy with other things - such as the upcoming Grand Slam tournaments, in which the Serb wants to set Roger Federer's record and subsequently pulverize it.
"I feel inspired to make 2020 one of the best seasons of my life," said Djokovic. The beginning has already been made with the triumphs at the ATP Cup and the Australian Open - the triumphal march of the world number one in Dubai is to be continued, where he is considered a great favorite for the title. And after Roger Federer's cancellation, one or two additional spectator hearts could fly to him.