“Novak was the beginning of the new generation,” Roger Federer reveals why Novak Djokovic became more successful than him

Federer and Djokovic locked horns with each other 50 times with the latter leading the head-to-head record 27-23.

“Novak was the beginning of the new generation,” Roger Federer reveals why Novak Djokovic became more successful than him

Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer (Image via Imago)

When Roger Federer became the first player in the history of men’s tennis to win 20 Grand Slam titles, little did the tennis world know back then that Novak Djokovic would one day surpass him to stand on top of the list with 24 Grand Slam titles. 

When Djokovic turned pro in 2003 and played his first game against Federer in 2006, the latter found out there were some technical problems in Nole’s game but he worked on him. The 42-year-old believes the emergence of new racket technology helped Djokovic and the players of his generation. 

YouTube video
That's why people thought that it could be his downfall. But then he managed to even it all out. Then there was the new racket technology, which helped the whole generation after me. Things went so fast for me when I was a junior and later on. The speed of the courts too. You had to play differently then. I was the transition and Novak was the beginning of the new generation. 
Roger Federer told SPORT BILD (via WeLT)

Federer and Djokovic locked horns with each other 50 times with the latter leading the head-to-head record 27-23. In the finals as well, Djokovic leads with a 13-6 record. 

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Roger Federer admits he didn’t give Novak Djokovic the respect he deserved because of his technical errors 

Roger Federer talked about how initially he felt Novak Djokovic was not destined for greatness because of the technical errors in his game. In his ‘Federer: Twelve Final Days‘ documentary which came out on Thursday (June 20) on Amazon Prime Video, the 42-year-old revealed how winning against Djokovic in their very first encounter on the ATP Tour in the Monte-Carlo Masters made him think that Djokovic might not be a player who could challenge him much. 

Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic
Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic (Image via X) 
I think I didn't give Novak the respect he deserved because of his technical flaws. I felt like Novak had a very extreme forehand grip and his backhand for me wasn't as fluid as it is nowadays. 
Roger Federer said

Federer added that tennis fans were not ready to welcome Djokovic in the ‘Fedal’ (Federer plus Rafael Nadal) era and his strong personality became one of the reasons why he did not have a good relationship with the fans. The Swiss legend concluded by pointing out how Djokovic is a bit misunderstood, saying that if he looks beyond the media, he finds Djokovic a man who cares for his family.

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