‘Bad guy’ Novak Djokovic shut down a reporter at Wimbledon with a classy response after being questioned for chasing Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer

Novak Djokovic faced one of the worst asked questions to him with all his dignity to not insult a reporter at the 2021 Wimbledon.

‘Bad guy’ Novak Djokovic shut down a reporter at Wimbledon with a classy response after being questioned for chasing Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer

Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic (Credits: Eurosport, Wimbledon)

The tables have turned in the race for most Grand Slam singles titles ever since Novak Djokovic won the 2023 French Open. The Serb clinched his 23rd Major title to lead the race for the first time. While many have now accepted that Djokovic as the GOAT, this was not the case always. When chasing the titles and his biggest contemporaries, the Serb had been subjected to blunt questions, with one of the incidents taking place at the 2021 Wimbledon.

At the Championships in 2021, Djokovic was asked about his thoughts on being the ‘Bad Guy’ for chasing Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. What followed was a classy response from the Serb.

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I don’t consider myself a bad guy. I’m not chasing anybody. I’m making my own path and my own journey, my own history, I’m privileged to be part of the history of this sport that I love. I know about a lot of stats, I don’t know about all of them. But they do motivate me even more to play my best tennis at the events that count the most in our sport.
Djokovic had said

The question was raised after Djokovic’s quarter-final win. Nole had defeated Marton Fucsovics in straight-sets and he then went on to win the title as well. The title tied him with both Nadal and Federer at 20 Majors each. For the first time, all three players were tied to an equal number of Grand Slam titles. It was also Djokovic’s sixth title at the Championships.

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Nadal pipped Federer and Djokovic to become the first to Major titles number 21 and 22. Nadal achieved the feat at the 2022 Australian Open followed by the 2022 French Open. Djokovic matched the Spaniard with titles at the 2022 Wimbledon and the 2023 Australian Open. He then overtook everyone at the Roland Garros this year.

Novak Djokovic chasing history at the 2023 Wimbledon

The 2023 Wimbledon will see Novak Djokovic return as the four-time defending champion. A seven-time winner at the All-England Club, he is now one title shy of Roger Federer’s record of eight titles. The all-time singles record, however, is held by Martina Navratilova with nine titles in the discipline.

Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic with the 2022 Wimbledon trophy (Credits: Sporting News)

Rafael Nadal is confirmed to miss the entire season which presents Djokovic with the chance to extend his lead at the top. With two out of two Majors won, Djokovic is once again in contention for the Calendar Slam. The odds are heavily in favor of the Serb to clinch the title in Wimbledon. But the only thing World No. 1 can hope is he is not met with those dishonoring him and his accomplishments.

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