In a candid interview, Novak Djokovic has admitted that he was never as loved as Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, despite holding the record for 24 Grand Slam titles. The Serbian legend reflected on his journey, revealing that he often felt like an outsider in the rivalry that defined modern tennis.
🔴 Key Highlights:
- Djokovic confessed that he was seen as the “third guy” in the Federer-Nadal era, despite surpassing both in major titles.
- He revealed that he once tried to change his attitude to gain fan acceptance but realized it wouldn’t make a difference.
- “I was never as loved as Federer and Nadal because I wasn’t supposed to be there. I was the little guy, the third guy who came along and said, ‘I’m going to be number one.’ Many people didn’t like that,” Djokovic stated.
- Despite the rivalry, Djokovic emphasized that he has immense respect for both Federer and Nadal and has never spoken ill of them.
- He admitted to sharing a deeper bond with Nadal, saying, “I’ve always gotten along better with Rafa”.
📢 Djokovic’s Emotional Reflection:
“I acted and still felt like an unwanted child. I asked myself why that was. It hurt me. Then I thought the fans would accept me if I acted differently. But that wasn’t the case either.”
⚠️ Strategic Impact:
- Djokovic’s comments have reignited discussions about fan favoritism in tennis, with many debating whether his dominance was underappreciated.
- As he chases his 25th Grand Slam title at Wimbledon, Djokovic remains determined to cement his legacy beyond the shadow of his legendary rivals.
👉 What do you think? Was Djokovic unfairly overlooked in the Federer-Nadal era? Drop your thoughts in the comments!
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