“2021 was an absolute robbery”- Rafael Nadal snubbing Novak Djokovic to clinch the much-hyped Laureus Sportsman of the Year Award in 2021 stings fresh to the Serbian’s fans to this day

Novak Djokovic wins his fifth Laureus Award.

“2021 was an absolute robbery”- Rafael Nadal snubbing Novak Djokovic to clinch the much-hyped Laureus Sportsman of the Year Award in 2021 stings fresh to the Serbian’s fans to this day

Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal (Via Imago)

Serbian ace Novak Djokovic added yet another feather to his cap of achievements. His achievements over the last year won him the prestigious Laureus Sportsman of the Year award. 

The 36-year-old Serbian was recognized for his brilliant run in 2023. Starting from the Australian Open, Djokovic managed to enter the finals of all the Grand Slam, winning all but one. 

YouTube video

He was just one set away from completing a calendar-year Grand Slam, but it was the young Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz who came out with a miraculous win.

FS Video

Nonetheless, the Serbian was still recognized for his brilliance and won the prestigious award. However, his fans had already started war online by resurfacing old incidents. One of the highlights was about his rival Rafael Nadal snubbing his award in 2021. 

Three years ago, Djokovic had played one of his finest seasons, winning three Grand Slams and coming within touching distance of the last one. Despite a wonderful season, it was Nadal who won the award even with only one Grand Slam title. 

Remember when Rafa Nadal was awarded the Laureus Sport Sportsman of the Year for 2020 for winning 1 slam, whereas Novak Djokovic wasn’t given the award for 2021 after winning 3 grand slams & being just 1 match away from winning all 4. How unfair was that!
Posted a user on X

As expected, more comments soon started to flow as the incident resurfaced in X.

Novak Djokovic continues to reach milestones as he wins yet another Laureus Sportsman of the Year award

With this, he won his 5th Laureus Award, equaling Roger Federer. The Serbian had previously won in 2013, 2015, 2016, and 2019. He would have also won in 2021, but narrowly lost to Nadal. 

Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic (Via Imago)

To date, the fans remain furious about the incident and fill the X world with roasts. Sharing a wide spectrum of reactions online, here’s what fans have to say:

https://twitter.com/chopinlover_/status/1782452935856726343
https://twitter.com/novak_goat/status/1782467464598630635

Nevertheless, it was a major achievement for Djokovic, who hasn’t been in the best of form. He recently pulled out of the Mutua Madrid Open, and the fans eagerly await his return as the countdown to the French Open begins.

In Case You Missed It: