Novak Djokovic according to Marion Bartoli is not as popular as sporting greats Muhammad Ali and Michael Jordan because of his origins. The former Wimbledon winner thinks “coming from a small Eastern European county affects one’s popularity rating”.
Djokovic won a record-extending 24th GS last week by defeating Daniil Medvedev in the US Open final to further confirm his status as tennis’ goat. The Serbian also tops the list for most weeks spent as ATP #1 and has also finished the year at #1 on seven occasions (most by any player) and holds 39 Masters 1000 titles (most by any player) to the date.
After taking the US Open crown for the fourth time, the 36-year-old while talking to Serbian media made some interesting comments stating that his country of birth is a hindrance for him to attract fame and recognition he deserved.
“One thing is a fact, though – if I wasn’t from Serbia, I’d have been glorified on a sporting level many years ago, especially in the west,” the world No 1 said
“But that’s part of my journey, I am grateful and proud to come from Serbia – because of that, all of these accomplishments are sweeter and even more fulfilling.”
And the former French player agrees with Djokovic on the approval rating not working for him.
Speaking on RMC, the former, 2013 Wimbledon winner said: “Of course it’s not just the fact that he is Serbian. We know very well that if Novak was American, he’d have a statue in every city.
“The fact that he is Serbian means that he is not as publicized. Coming from a small Eastern European country, with a recent painful past, affects one’s popularity rating.”
She even went as far as saying that Djokovic’s sporting greatness is on par with that of legendary boxer Muhammad Ali and NBA great Jordan, but couldn’t receive the fame of same level because of his birth in a small country.
Contributing in the Les Grandes Gueules du Sport segment, Bartoli added: “Where I agree with him is that coming from a small Eastern European country with a recent painful past affects one’s popularity rating.
“When we take the best athletes of all time, who do we put him next to? Muhammad Ali and Michael Jordan, can he fit into this category? In terms of achievement yes but not in popularity.”
On another occasion, the former WTA #8 while talking to Tennis365 suggested that Djokovic is unlikely to attract the same love and adulation from tennis fans as his peers and rivals Federer and Nadal.
“If Novak had played just one other player, I think he would have had a much bigger fan base,” she said.
“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.”