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Economic Times
a day ago
- Sport
- Economic Times
Novak Djokovic holds a complaint against Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, despite having won more Grand Slams
AP Despite surpassing Roger Federer (middle) and Rafael Nadal (right) in Grand Slam titles, Novak Djokovic (left) reveals he felt like the "unwanted child" of tennis's Big 3. In a candid interview, he expressed how public affection never favored him equally, attributing it to geopolitical bias and existing fan narratives. (Image: AP) He has more Grand Slam titles than any man in tennis history. He has conquered the sport's most iconic courts, and dismantled its greatest legends. Yet, Novak Djokovic admits that even now, despite the numbers, the records, and the accolades, he has never quite felt embraced the way his rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal were. In a deeply introspective conversation on Failures of Champions with Slaven Bilic, Djokovic spoke with rare emotional candour about being the third wheel in tennis's most famous trio. 'I felt like the unwanted child in the trio,' he said, recalling how he was often perceived as the disruptor of a narrative that the world had already fallen in love with. Federer, the elegant Swiss maestro, and Nadal, the fiery Spanish warrior, had already written their legacies before Djokovic came into full bloom. While both enjoyed massive popularity — especially in the West — Djokovic's audacity to say he would be World No. 1 wasn't always celebrated. It was, at times, resented. 'They come from Switzerland and Spain… so Western powers. There are these orientations and affiliations,' Djokovic remarked, suggesting that global bias may have played a role in how fans connected with players. 'I was never as loved as Federer and Nadal because I wasn't supposed to be there. I was the third guy who came along and said, 'I'm going to be number one.' Many didn't like that.' Despite amassing 24 Grand Slam titles, surpassing both Federer's 20 and Nadal's 22, Djokovic still feels that public affection was unevenly distributed. Though their battles on court were often fierce, Djokovic maintains that he never harboured hatred for his biggest opponents. 'Just because someone is my biggest rival doesn't mean I wish them harm, hate them, or want to do anything else on the court to defeat them,' he said. 'We fought for the win, and the better player won.' Interestingly, of the two, he says he always got along better with Nadal. 'I've always respected both Federer and Nadal… but I've always gotten along better with Nadal,' he confessed, even while hailing Federer as the most talented of the trio. He compared their styles: 'Federer moved elegantly, using energy so efficiently. Nadal was the other extreme—maximum physicality. I'm somewhere in between, leaning more toward Nadal.' Together, he believes, they shaped each other's greatness. 'Without a doubt, the rivalry with those two had the most influence on my development.' Djokovic's career hasn't just been about titles. From winning a National Award for Rock On!!, to being part of the Temptation and Heartthrob world tours with Bollywood superstars like Shah Rukh Khan, and acting in his home production I See You , his story has had its glamorous detours. But it is tennis where his legacy was carved — often in defiance of the spotlight that shone more favourably on others. As Djokovic now recovers from his French Open exit and eyes Wimbledon with quiet determination, he seems to have made peace with his role. 'I am a man with many flaws,' he said in the interview. 'Nevertheless, I have always tried to live with heart and good intentions and, ultimately, to be myself.' For someone who was once the "unwanted child" of tennis, Novak Djokovic has written a legacy too monumental to ignore — even for those who didn't welcome him in.
Time of India
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Novak Djokovic holds a complaint against Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, despite having won more Grand Slams
The Shadow of Federer and Nadal You Might Also Like: Feeling low in life? Anand Mahindra wants you to look at this poster and scoreboard of French Open winner Carlos Alcaraz for inspiration Between Rivalry and Respect From Heartthrob to History-Maker You Might Also Like: Former tennis star Anna Kournikova spotted in a wheelchair in first public appearance in 2 years. Check pics here He has more Grand Slam titles than any man in tennis history . He has conquered the sport's most iconic courts, and dismantled its greatest legends. Yet, Novak Djokovic admits that even now, despite the numbers, the records, and the accolades, he has never quite felt embraced the way his rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal a deeply introspective conversation on Failures of Champions with Slaven Bilic, Djokovic spoke with rare emotional candour about being the third wheel in tennis's most famous trio. 'I felt like the unwanted child in the trio,' he said, recalling how he was often perceived as the disruptor of a narrative that the world had already fallen in love the elegant Swiss maestro, and Nadal, the fiery Spanish warrior, had already written their legacies before Djokovic came into full bloom. While both enjoyed massive popularity — especially in the West — Djokovic's audacity to say he would be World No. 1 wasn't always celebrated. It was, at times, resented.'They come from Switzerland and Spain… so Western powers. There are these orientations and affiliations,' Djokovic remarked, suggesting that global bias may have played a role in how fans connected with players. 'I was never as loved as Federer and Nadal because I wasn't supposed to be there. I was the third guy who came along and said, 'I'm going to be number one.' Many didn't like that.'Despite amassing 24 Grand Slam titles, surpassing both Federer's 20 and Nadal's 22, Djokovic still feels that public affection was unevenly their battles on court were often fierce, Djokovic maintains that he never harboured hatred for his biggest opponents. 'Just because someone is my biggest rival doesn't mean I wish them harm, hate them, or want to do anything else on the court to defeat them,' he said. 'We fought for the win, and the better player won.'Interestingly, of the two, he says he always got along better with Nadal. 'I've always respected both Federer and Nadal… but I've always gotten along better with Nadal,' he confessed, even while hailing Federer as the most talented of the compared their styles: 'Federer moved elegantly, using energy so efficiently. Nadal was the other extreme—maximum physicality. I'm somewhere in between, leaning more toward Nadal.' Together, he believes, they shaped each other's greatness. 'Without a doubt, the rivalry with those two had the most influence on my development.'Djokovic's career hasn't just been about titles. From winning a National Award for Rock On!!, to being part of the Temptation and Heartthrob world tours with Bollywood superstars like Shah Rukh Khan, and acting in his home production I See You, his story has had its glamorous detours. But it is tennis where his legacy was carved — often in defiance of the spotlight that shone more favourably on Djokovic now recovers from his French Open exit and eyes Wimbledon with quiet determination, he seems to have made peace with his role. 'I am a man with many flaws,' he said in the interview. 'Nevertheless, I have always tried to live with heart and good intentions and, ultimately, to be myself.'For someone who was once the "unwanted child" of tennis, Novak Djokovic has written a legacy too monumental to ignore — even for those who didn't welcome him in.
Time of India
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Novak Djokovic 'felt like unwanted child' compared to Federer, Nadal; admits to changing demeanour to win fans over
Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal at the Spaniard's farewell ceremony at Roland Garros. (AP) Novak Djokovic has opened up about his complex journey as part of tennis's renowned 'Big 3' alongside Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal , revealing the emotional challenges he faced despite his remarkable achievements. In a recent Failures of Champions interview with Slaven Bilic, Djokovic discussed his position as the record holder of 24 Grand Slam titles, surpassing both Federer's 20 and Nadal's 22, while addressing the perceived lack of adoration from fans compared to his rivals. "I am a man with many flaws, of course. Nevertheless, I have always tried to live with heart and good intentions and, ultimately, to be myself," Djokovic reflected on his tennis journey. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! The Serbian champion spoke candidly about feeling like an outsider in the celebrated trio. "I felt like the unwanted child in the trio. I often questioned why that was the case, and it was painful," Djokovic admitted. "I thought changing my demeanour might win them over, but that proved ineffective too." Djokovic attributed part of the fan response to geographical and cultural factors, particularly when he emerged as a challenger to the established Federer-Nadal dynamic. "The two of them had already developed a rivalry before I came along because Nadal broke through a few years before me. They come from Switzerland, from Spain, so Western powers. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trading CFD dengan Teknologi dan Kecepatan Lebih Baik IC Markets Mendaftar Undo There are these orientations and there are affiliations. I never achieved the same level of adoration as Federer and Nadal because, in a way, I wasn't supposed to disrupt their narrative. I was the third man who boldly declared, 'I'm going to be number one. ' Not everyone welcomed that," he explained. Discussing the nature of his relationships with Federer and Nadal, Djokovic emphasised his respect for both competitors. "Just because someone is my biggest rival doesn't mean I wish them harm, hate them, or want to do anything else on the court to defeat them. We fought for the win, and the better player won," Djokovic remarked. "I've always respected both Federer and Nadal; I've never said a single bad word about them and never will. I looked up to them and still do. But I've always gotten along better with Nadal." The Serbian player offered his analysis of the distinct playing styles within the Big 3. "When we compare Federer, Nadal and me - Federer is the most talented, the most beautiful to watch, he spent his energy the most efficiently, he moved so slowly, so elegantly, so efficiently, while Nadal is the other contrast, the other extreme. Physicality is maximum, and I'm somewhere in between, but more towards Nadal. Each of us had some of our own characteristics and as time went on, our rivalries complemented each other and strengthened. " Djokovic acknowledged the significant impact of these rivalries on his career development. "We always say that through these rivalries, the three of us contributed to developing into the tennis players and people and competitors that we have become. I say without a doubt, the rivalry with those two had the most influence on my development, especially in the second part of my career," he concluded. These revelations came following Djokovic's recent exit from the French Open in the semi-finals, where he was defeated by Jannik Sinner.
