Novak Djokovic, the Serbian tennis legend, has often found himself at the center of criticism from fans and insiders alike. Naomi Broady, a former British tennis player, recently shared her thoughts on why Djokovic faces such frequent scrutiny.
The Divisive Nature of Djokovic’s Career
Djokovic’s career has been marked by both incredible achievements and controversial moments. During the 2025 Australian Open, Djokovic was booed by the crowd after retiring from his match against Alexander Zverev due to a left thigh injury. His decision to not explain the reason for his retirement only fueled the fans’ disappointment.
The Human Side of a Tennis Icon
In an interview, Broady reflected on the unwarranted criticisms Djokovic receives. She suggested that the criticism might stem from jealousy or a lack of understanding of Djokovic’s greatness. Broady emphasized that Djokovic, like any other player, is human and has emotions. She questioned whether critics would say the same things to Djokovic’s face, implying that they probably wouldn’t.
She said: “Nole receives an unwarranted number of criticisms when you consider everything he has accomplished in the world of tennis. It is not clear why this happens.
Maybe it’s out of jealousy, or more simply people are not able to fully understand his greatness. Sometimes we think that players are not human beings, but just robots that have no emotions. If people came face to face with him, would he have the courage to say certain things to him? Probably not.”
The Impact of Online Criticism
Broady also highlighted the role of online criticism in shaping public perception of athletes. She noted that top athletes often face relentless scrutiny from faceless commentators, which can overshadow their achievements. Broady urged fans and critics to recognize the dedication and hard work behind Djokovic’s success and to see him as a human being striving for excellence.
Novak Djokovic in 2025
Ranked world no.6, the Serbian played his last match on the 24th of January when he had to retire when playing against world no.2 Alexander Zverev in the semifinal and the scoreline was 7-6(5) .
Currently, during this year Novak has a 7-2 record. Novak Djokovic’s latest run at the Australian Open was the best achievement of his season.
He is also scheduled to play in Doha (Qatar ExxonMobil Open) on the 17th of February and Indian Wells (BNP Paribas Open) on the 3rd of March.