23-time Grand Slam Champion, Novak Djokovic may or may not take an exception to the notion that he is the bad guy on the tour but a former professional player suggests that he might never lose that tag.
Djokovic known for taking it all out in the big moments once again squared up against the annoying fans as they continued to celebrate him missed shots in different rounds of the Championships. However, that was nothing new for the Serb who has never bowed down to the bigotry of crazy fans. The 36-year old in fact turns on the optimal mood and becomes more efficient when he has to unleash rage and play both against his opponent and the unruly crowd.
Whether he hits for a winner or mishits for an unforced error, the always smiling new ATP world No. 1 has become the new hero to win fans against the Djokernole and former professional player Nicolas Pereira doubts that if the position will ever change for him.
With Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal becoming the ultimate fan’s choice in the golden era of tennis, the Venezuelan talking to Claytenis suspects that Djokoivc is destined to lose the popularity battle.
“Djokovic will always be the villain of the movie, because with two superheroes like Federer and Nadal there is simply no room for a third, and even less if he comes from behind to surpass them in number of Grand Slams and numbers of all kinds. The crowd in London is as rigid and puritanical as it gets. Certainly the breaking of the racket against the net post does not coexist much with the idea of tennis on that court, but Djokovic is what he is. He is a warrior, a great soldier. If he were to take on the role of the villain, I think he would win a lot more.
“He wants to be liked and loved. A lot of people are on his side, he certainly has a lot of followers and lovers. I think in time, they’re going to give him his due. He’s like an Ivan Lendl, if you can compare him, another legend who dominated an era. You have to enjoy him with the good, the bad and the ugly. He always gives his all.”
When asked about what is the most important aspect of defining the GOAT of the game in his eyes, he didn’t dodge the question.
“It’s not all said yet. I see three to five clear chances for Djokovic to win more Grand Slams. We have to see how Rafa comes back.”
“I see it on an individual basis and the numbers don’t lie with Djokovic. For me Federer means the massification of tennis, what everyone idealizes in a tennis player; the professionalism and respect towards the rivals and the game in Nadal is exceptional; and what Djokovic did in an era with two giants, managing to surpass their records is something that would never have been thought,” he added.
“With a general view I see it as a privilege for all of us. I don’t see the need to pick one, but let people talk. The more people talk about tennis, the better.”
Pereira was also asked if he agrees with Djokovic-fan strained relationship opinion given by another top Latin American tennis mind Argentinean Juan Monaco (Pico), to which he replied:
“I agree with Pico. Although I think if Rafa decides not to play anymore, Roger already out, no doubt Djokovic will get the affection he has always been looking for. And I would like to see him receive it, because you can see that he is a person who wants to be loved.”
“I think he would have made a lot more money if he had taken off his mask and been the villain in the movie. But I think he wants to be adored and I think he deserves it,” the tennis veteran added while talking to Claytenis.
The Villainous Character of Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic can be safely declared as the biggest Villain tennis has ever seen. Throughout his career, battling negativity from the spectators truly made him a mental giant as he has often been cast as the player the crowd cheers against.
Here is the something similar said about Novak by Aussie John Millman who recorded his biggest career win against Roger Federer in 2018 US Open R16:
“Novak will always divide opinion. He certainly has strong beliefs and unwavering principles that might not be agreeable. For some he will always be someone we hope not to succeed. I believe in time though more people will come to realize what his colleagues already know, Novak is a hero dressed as a villain. And that was exactly what our sport needed.”
Apart from Nicolás Pereira and John Millman, 7-time Grand Slam Champion John McEnroe infamous for his on-court meltdowns endorsed that anti-hero remark about Novak Djokovic after he was ejected from US Open for hitting a line judge with a ball.
Though, the Serbian shirks at the suggestion that he is the bad guy of the game, serving a disqualification of his own at the Australian Open in 1990, the American knows well how hard it is to shake a bad boy reputation.
“If he embraces that role, I think he could recover. He has got a lot of things going for him, but this is obviously a stain that he’s not going to be able to erase,” McEnroe said after Novak’s disqualification from the New York major.
The greatest debate of tennis never tires the fans and commentators but it seems clear now that Djokovic hopes for winning the love of fans and rubbing the villain’s skin off him, may still be an uphill task.