Breaking News: Roger Federer Criticizes Novak Djokovic and Makes Bold Claims About Their Rivalry
For a long time, tennis fans have celebrated Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal more than Novak Djokovic, who was often seen as the sport’s “party crasher.”
Roger Federer has admitted that he did not initially give Novak Djokovic “the respect he deserved” when Djokovic first emerged as a top contender in men’s tennis.
Djokovic struggled to gain the same level of support as Federer and Nadal because he was viewed as a “party crasher,” according to the 20-time Grand Slam champion.
“I think he’s been a little bit misunderstood,” Federer says about Djokovic in a new behind-the-scenes documentary, Federer: Twelve Final Days, on Amazon Prime.
Despite surpassing Federer’s record with a total of 24 Grand Slams, Djokovic was once dismissed as a true great by his Swiss rival, the documentary reveals.
“I played him in Monaco for the first time [Federer won 6-3, 2-6, 6-3 in 2006] and I walked off the court thinking, ‘Yeah, he’s OK,'” Federer recalls. “Even though there was some hype around him, I wasn’t fully convinced. I didn’t give Novak the respect he deserved because of his technical flaws. He had a very extreme forehand grip, and his backhand wasn’t as fluid as it is now. But he ironed those things out and became an unbelievable monster of a player.”
For a long time, Federer, Nadal, and Andy Murray received more praise from fans as men’s tennis reached new heights over the past 15 years.
“I guess he was the party crasher of Rafa and Roger fans,” Federer said. “There was a lot of Rafa-Roger love, so when Novak came along, many people thought, ‘We don’t need a third guy. We’re happy with Roger and Rafa.’
“The Federer fans initially didn’t like him because they thought, ‘Roger’s a bit more graceful; he does it with ease.’ Then Novak came in with his strong personality and unbelievable grit, wanting to win at all costs. I think Novak was also triggered by his relationship with the fans. His deep focus maybe scared some people away.
“I think he’s been a little bit misunderstood. I look past the media and see the man he is. If I take away his game, who is he? What are his values? I know he cares very deeply about his family.”
The new Federer documentary is released on Monday, just two weeks before the start of Wimbledon.
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