“He might not quite get the admiration he deserves,” Top tennis broadcaster suspects Novak Djokovic might not get a Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal-like farewell at the end of his career

Novak Djokovic will be playing at the French Open without a title this season for only the second time since 2006.

“He might not quite get the admiration he deserves,” Top tennis broadcaster suspects Novak Djokovic might not get a Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal-like farewell at the end of his career

Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer (images via IMAGO)

Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal are both experiencing a tough start to the season. While Djokovic is yet to reach a final this year, Nadal hasn’t performed like he used to. However, because this season is touted as Nadal’s final tour, the Spaniard has overshadowed Djokovic in popularity.

Last year, Djokovic’s popularity surpassed every other player after he claimed the year’s first Grand Slam. Despite losing Wimbledon, he won the US Open taking his major title tally to a record 24. But, this season hasn’t gone the way many had projected for the Serbian ace. Nole has played in five tournaments this season but is yet to win any title.

YouTube video

He was seen as the favorite to win the Geneva Open, an ATP 250 tournament, but surprisingly lost to Tomas Machac in the semifinals. On the other hand, Nadal’s fame on Tour has been increasing. At the Madrid Open, the Spanish star was given a standing ovation from fans and even silverware to celebrate his farewell from the tournament.

Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Rafael Nadal
Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Rafael Nadal (Via Tennis365)

In Rome, 15,000 fans came to see Rafael Nadal in his final game on that court. The same way fans also came to see Roger Federer when he retired at the 2022 Laver Cup in London, with a full-packed O2 Arena. That has led tennis broadcaster Marcus Buckland to believe that Djokovic hasn’t gotten the kind of admiration he deserves.

Nadal has basically garnered the same sort of admiration and love from his supporters and unfortunately for Novak, he has come through at a time when he was up against two remarkable individuals and that was always going to be challenging for him. For that reason, he might not quite get the admiration he deserves. Personally, I’ve always found him to be absolutely outstanding. In some ways, he’s almost too good with the media.
Marcus Buckland said via tennis365

Meanwhile, Nadal and Djokovic are competing at the French Open but Nadal’s match seems to be more anticipated than Djokovic’s. And that is because Nadal has been drawn to play Alexander Zverev today at the Roland Garros.

Novak Djokovic focused on performing well at the Roland Garros after Geneva Open disappointment

Novak Djokovic was seeking for a silverware before the French Open but couldn’t get one at the Geneva Open. This is the second time since 2006 the Serbian would be heading to the French Open without a title.

He will face French Pierre-Hugus Herbert in the first round of the French Open. However, he is focused on winning the Roland Garros, putting his Geneva disappointment behind him.

Novak Djokovic Geneva
Novak Djokovic (via IMAGO)
It’s various things that were happening in the last couple of months, but I don’t want to get into it. I don’t want to open Pandora’s Box and talk about things. What has happened, happened, and it’s in the past. It’s something that I can’t (let) affect anymore, but I can kind of learn to rectify certain things and right the certain things that are wrong and really not serving the purpose of my highest performance level.
Novak Djokovic said ahead of his first-round match at 2024 Roland Garro

Djokovic is the defending champion at the French Open. He beat Casper Ruud last year to clinch his third title at the Roland Garros.

In case you missed it: