Novak Djokovic has opened up about his struggles with acceptance in the tennis world, revealing that he often felt like an outsider compared to Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. The Serbian star, who has dominated the sport for over a decade, admitted that he was never embraced in the same way as his two biggest rivals.
As reported by 20min.ch, Djokovic shared that, early in his career, he felt like an “unwanted child” in the tennis community. He explained that he initially believed fans would accept him if he changed his behavior, but that did not happen. His rise to the top disrupted the Federer-Nadal rivalry, which had already captivated audiences worldwide. As the third competitor entering the scene, he sensed resistance from many who preferred the established duo.
Despite the challenges, Djokovic maintained respect for both Federer and Nadal, stating that he never wished them harm or spoke negatively about them. He acknowledged that their battles on the court were fierce, but he always admired their achievements. While he had a strong competitive relationship with Federer, he admitted that he felt a deeper connection with Nadal.
This is what he said:
“I acted and still felt like an unwanted child. I asked myself why that was. It hurt me. Then I thought the fans would accept me if I acted differently. But that wasn’t the case either.”
“I was never as loved as Federer and Nadal because I wasn’t supposed to be there. I was the little guy, the third guy who came along and said, ‘I’m going to be number one.’ Many people didn’t like that.”
“Just because someone is my biggest rival doesn’t mean I wish them harm, hate them, or want to do anything else on the court to defeat them. We fought for the win, and the better player won.” “I’ve always respected both him and Federer; I’ve never said a single bad word about them and never will. I looked up to them and still do. But I’ve always gotten along better with Nadal.”
Djokovic’s dominance in tennis has been undeniable, with his record-breaking Grand Slam victories solidifying his place among the sport’s greatest players. Although he may not have received the same level of adoration as Federer and Nadal, his legacy continues to grow, proving that his determination and skill have earned him a place in history.
Novak Djokovic in 2025
LWWWWLWWWW Ranked no.5, Djokovic played his last match on the 6th of June when he lost to world no.1 Jannik Sinner 6-4 7-5 7-6(3) in the semifinal of the French Open (draw).
At present, during this year Djokovic achieved an overall 21-8 win-loss record. The Serbian has won 1 title in Geneva. The Serbian reached the final in Miami.
