Novak Djokovic ‘Felt Like an Unwanted’ Child As He Gets Emotional Over Not Being Loved By Fans Like Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal

World No.5 Novak Djokovic lost to Jannik Sinner in the semifinals of the recently concluded French Open.

Novak Djokovic ‘Felt Like an Unwanted’ Child As He Gets Emotional Over Not Being Loved By Fans Like Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal

Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal (Image via X/Danny)

Novak Djokovic thinks the reason why he wasn’t loved by the fans compared to Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal was because they thought of him as the “third guy“. Djokovic recalled the days when he was a newcomer and how many fans didn’t want him to break Federer and Nadal’s dominance.

The 38-year-old was last seen in action at the French Open where eventual runner-up Jannik Sinner knocked him out in three sets, improving his head-to-head record over him to 5-4. He will next participate at Wimbledon where in the previous two seasons, World No.2 Carlos Alcaraz beat him in the finals. During an interview with Slaven Bilic on Failure of Champions, Djokovic said his goal was to be better than Nadal and Federer.

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.

Novak Djokovic said (H/T: 20min)

Djokovic is the only member of the Big 3 yet to retire. Federer and Nadal called time on their respective careers at the 2022 Laver Cup and at the 2024 Davis Cup.

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.

Novak Djokovic added

In the head-to-head matchups, Nole led 27-23 against the Swiss maestro, while against Nadal, he edged 31-29. Nadal played his career’s last match on clay against the Serb in the second round of the 2024 Paris Olympics, which Djokovic won later by beating Alcaraz.

Daria Saville thinks Novak Djokovic is dealing with the same problem as Serena Williams

According to Australian player Daria Saville, now that Novak Djokovic has reached the twilight of his career, he is always asked the retirement questions. She said the same had happened to 23-time Grand Slam singles champion Serena Williams during press conferences in the later part of her career.

Novak Djokovic, Serena Williams
Novak Djokovic, Serena Williams (Image via X/Tennis Letter page)

It’s pretty hard going to every press [conference] and hearing people asking him the same questions. How much longer? How many more That’s what people did to Serena. The funny thing as a player is I don’t think you know yourself.

Daria Saville said on the Australian Open TV YouTube Channel

Williams hung up her racket at the 2022 US Open. Djokovic, after his French Open exit, dropped the retirement hint when he said that the semifinal against Jannik Sinner could be his final match at Roland Garros.

Novak Djokovic last won a Grand Slam title at the 2023 US Open

In the two Grand Slam events this season, Djokovic progressed to the semifinals. Back in January, after denying Alcaraz a chance to become the youngest man to complete the Career Grand Slam by beating him in the quarterfinal, Djokovic set up a semifinal clash with Alexander Zverev.

Novak Djokovic (8)
Novak Djokovic (Image via X/Wolfy)

But injury forced him to retire mid-match. This season, the Belgrade native lost three consecutive matches twice – on either side of the Miami Open. He then ended his trophy drought by clinching the Geneva Open by beating Hubert Hurkacz, becoming the third man after Jimmy Connors and Roger Federer to reach the 100-title tally in singles.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion last won a Grand Slam title at the 2023 US Open and since then, he made a Major final just once: at the 2024 Wimbledon, which he lost to Alcaraz (for the second time in a row). He will next be bidding to win his eighth Wimbledon and tie the tally with Federer.

Also read: Stefanos Tsitsipas Picks Roger Federer and Serena Williams as His GOATs of Tennis