Novak Djokovic locker room fantasy uncovered after Federer and Nadal comparisons

Former professional Sania Mirza has debunked any fantasy that Novak Djokovic isn’t preferred as she opened up on his repute amongst his fellow gamers within the locker room. The three-time doubles Grand Slam champion admitted that the Serb was as soon as seen because the third man to Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal’s rivalry. But Mirza mentioned Djokovic was revered by his friends even when he was “misunderstood”.

Djokovic has cemented his place as one in all tennis’ biggest stars, arriving on the scene a couple of years after Federer and Nadal however happening to surpass their Grand Slam information, weeks at No 1 and Masters 1000 title hauls. But the world No 2 hasn’t acquired the identical assist and appreciation from crowds in comparison with his Big Three counterparts.

Despite that, Mirza has talked up Djokovic’s repute amongst his fellow gamers and recommended him for beginning the Professional Tennis Players Association – a bunch he co-founded with Vasek Pospisil three years in the past. Speaking to The Week’s Neeru Bhatia, the previous doubles world No 1 mentioned: “[Djokovic] is part of the Professional Tennis Players Association, but he does not need to be part of it.

“He does so because he wants to help others who are not as privileged as him. I do not know how to describe greatness, but it is not just about being a great tennis player. It is also about being a good person.”

After talking for Djokovic’s character, Mirza mentioned her opinion was one shared by the Serb’s rivals within the locker room. She added: “I do not know if he is misunderstood on the circuit; he is quite liked actually on the tour. Everybody has a lot of respect for him, as they should.”

But the 36-year-old understood why some wouldn’t anticipate the 23-time Major champion to be so fashionable amongst his rivals, with tennis followers usually selecting Federer and Nadal over Djokovic. “But I think because it has been a Rafa-Roger rivalry, everyone spoke about him as the third man who kind of came in,” she defined.