“Comparisons to Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer have held me back,” says this Tennis Champion

“Comparisons to Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer have held me back,” says this Tennis Champion

Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer

Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic

Croatian professional tennis player, Borna Coric has stated that expectations borne of comparisons to Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic have hindered his career. It is no secret that the almost 2-decade long dominance of ‘The Big Three’ has raised the expectations of viewers to unchartered levels. 

The quality of tennis which these greats have produced has spoilt the spectators in a way. It has also raised doubts in other players’ minds. It has forced them to look within themselves to ask if what they’ve done was the best they could do. 

Whilst the Top 3 positions seems to be reserved until ‘The Big Three’ retire, the world rankings after 3 are still very much up for grabs. At this moment, 2 different leagues seem to exist in the men’s singles category; ‘The Big Three’ and the younger players or even the ones who have gotten older but are still a part of ‘Next Gen’ because the reign of Djokovic, Nadal and Federer never gave them a chance to truly come out of the shadows.

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The Next-Gen star comments on the expectations from others after the rule of ‘The Big Three’

Borna Coric

Without a doubt, any other upcoming player will be compared to these champions. This has seemingly taken a toll on players like Bona Coric. The Croat has had success in the past. He’s made back-to-back finals at the St.Petersburg tournament last week. Nevertheless, the power and greatness which is bestowed upon after having won a Grand Slam remains in the hands of these 3. 

In an interview with Tennis Majors, Coric said, “I haven’t felt any additional pressure, I am being honest here. The only pressure I feel is when I look at myself in the mirror. I need to know that I have done everything in my power to be the best that I can be.

He continued, “But still, you get used to hearing that you are the best. That you are the next Novak Djokovic or the next Roger Federer. Then my expectations have become unrealistic thinking I was going to be top 10 quickly. But it doesn’t work that way.”

By the looks of it, the conditions are not going to change soon. However, what we can make a note of, is that every player has a different trajectory. It will certainly hinder their growth if they are met with comparisons half the time, be it induced externally or internally.

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