“If you want to know the reality about Novak, ask the locker room,” Paul McNamee talks about the wrong perception some fans have about Novak Djokovic

The Serbian still gets booed when he walks out on a tennis court.

“If you want to know the reality about Novak, ask the locker room,” Paul McNamee talks about the wrong perception some fans have about Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic and Paul McNamee (Images via Imago)

Former Australian tennis player Paul McNamee has challenged the narrative about Novak Djokovic being divisive and insincere. He recently claimed that the perception of the Serbian’s character has been set wrong and has asked people to seek the opinion of Djokovic’s peers who share the locker room with the 24-time Grand Slam champion.

Notably, ever since the start of his career, Djokovic has been labeled as arrogant and cocky. The World No. 1 has received a lot of flak for his emotional outbursts on the tennis court. Over time, his on-court antics took over his off-court personality and people started perceiving him as the opposite of how a tennis player should be.

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Unfortunately, the tennis ace is still booed every time he walks out on the court and Djokovic seems to have made peace with it. In fact, the 36-year-old recently revealed that he draws inspiration from those boos and they help them do better. Nevertheless, Djokovic is still perceived as a villain. But McNamee thinks otherwise.

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Djokovic is variously described as divisive and insincere. Of course, that’s from people who don’t know him. If you want the reality, ask the locker room. That’s where he is the MAN… highly respected and popular. So perhaps check with his peers?
Paul McNamee posted on X

The former doubled No. 1 in the world, expressed his views on this widespread perception about Djokovic and dismissed all the claims of the Serbian being insincere. McNamee feels that people should ask his peers from the locker room about how he is as a human being.

Why is Novak Djokovic disliked?

Novak Djokovic is a passionate player on the tennis court and his antics attract criticism for him more often than not. Ripping his shirt after winning a title or smashing the racket in frustration after losing, Djokovic does it all, and it surely is not liked by the tennis fans who have seen the likes of Roger Federer, all graceful and calm even in the toughest situations.

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Novak Djokovic (Image via Imago)

Despite his sacrifices, hard work, and titles, Djokovic could not win over a few fans because he did not fit into the mold of a ‘perfect tennis player’ image. It’s often said that the Serbian plays boring tennis and fans find little enjoyment in watching him play.

Fast forward to 2024, Djokovic sits atop the list of men’s tennis players with the most Grand Slam titles, but still, the dislike for him is evident. Nevertheless, the 36-year-old is now least bothered with such degrading opinions as he walks into the twilight of his career.

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