Novak Djokovic advised purpose he’ll by no means be liked by tennis followers forward of US Open
Former Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli believes Novak Djokovic won’t ever be as adored as Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal due to “timing”. Bartoli’s feedback weren’t meant as a slight because the French legend insisted Djokovic will stand alone as the best males’s singles participant in historical past as soon as it’s all mentioned and achieved.
Djokovic is making ready to compete on the U.S. Open as he eyes a 3rd Grand Slam title in 2023 – and a record-extending twenty fourth general. Known for his fiery but dominant performances on the courtroom, the all-conquering 36-year-old has clashed with followers within the stands all through his profession as he was the person defeating the beloved Federer and Nadal.
While the 23-time Grand Slam champion enjoys feeling the love from followers, he usually seems to get pleasure from being the pantomime villain at every occasion. At Wimbledon, Djokovic appeared to feed off confronting and gesturing to the gang as they cheered his opponent – and Bartoli believes the Serbian icon is destined to retire with out common love from tennis followers like that loved by his outdated rivals.
“I feel the Australian Open is slightly different as the Serbian community is so big there, but the other three (Grand Slams) are more challenging for him,” Bartoli advised Tennis365 forward of the US Open. “I just feel that Novak raises himself and is even stronger when he is against adversity. He likes to play and compete against it.
“I think people just got used so much to two players facing each other. If you look at the history of tennis it was (Bjorn) Borg against (John) McEnroe, it was (Pete) Sampras against (Andre) Agassi and it was Roger (Federer) against (Rafa) Nadal. You are not used to having a third one.
“The third one feels like the disruptor. You want to cheer for one or the other. You say ‘I was to cheer for Roger’ or ‘I want to cheer for Rafa’. You don’t want the third one that comes in and wins everything.
“It was more the timing than anything else. When you talk to all the players and the fans around the world, people like Novak’s personality and they have so much respect for his game. But one was for Roger, the elegance, against Rafa the grinder, who has won 14 times at Roland Garros. But you can’t really go to the third one.
“If Novak had played just one other player, I think he would have had a much bigger fan base. So I think he has gained the respect from everyone, but in terms of the love, this is slightly different. It’s just human nature to cheer for one or the other and you don’t want the third one.”
However, Bartoli insisted Djokovic will stroll away from tennis because the undisputed best of all time with an unmatched document in main tournaments.
Djokovic will look to defeat defending champion and World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz and win his fourth U.S. Open title when the ultimate Grand Slam of the yr begins subsequent week. The Flushing Meadows match shall be held from August 28 to Sept. 10 on the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York, United States.