Insight
Novak Djokovic: Damaging a legacy?
10th July 2024
Federer, Nadal or Djokovic? A question that rages among tennis fans. At the end of the day, however, it could be attitude, rather than tennis ability, that makes up people’s minds, as Novak Djokovic deals with yet another PR disaster after Monday’s match with Holger Rune.
Let’s start with the other two of the so-called “Big Three” (sorry Andy). Federer and Nadal have always been the darlings of men’s tennis, not only because of their sheer ability but a hefty dose of humility, respect for the opponent and excellent relationships with the press.
The recent Amazon documentary about the end of Federer’s career offered a glimpse into his views on long-time rival Djokovic. Federer flagged the difficulties Djokovic must have had in honing his technique, body and mental grit to break the duopoly. He also highlighted that it did not endear Djokovic to the tennis crowds, who were so intent on continued epic battles between Nadal and Federer, like that of the 2008 Wimbledon final.
Djokovic wears his heart on his sleeve and this passion can bubble over into rage, which doesn’t quite fit with the “spirit of tennis” we so often hear about, particularly on the lawns of the All England at Wimbledon. In the early stages of his rise to the top of the rankings, he would rail against the crowds mid-match and then use on-court interviews to show his disgust at their treatment of him, as with Monday night’s match. While we can all sympathise how frustrating this must have been, one might have advised a more tactful and humble approach, accepting the admiration for Nadal and Federer but also pointing to the benefits of having another player at their level and the need for another generation of players coming through.
It may be that Djokovic doesn’t care and that the energy he gets from a hostile crowd outweighs the negative feelings he experiences after the game, but I don’t see it. His frustrations show his need to be accepted and considered an equal player and man to Federer, Nadal, et al. Toning down his overzealous frustration and celebration might be a good starting point, while also avoiding on-court rows with umpires and fans. In his BBC Sport interview on Monday evening, Djokovic was quoted as saying “I don’t regret my words or actions on the court” – not a helpful reply when already embattled by the many critics of his antics.
It will certainly not be an overnight process, given the longevity of the issues he has faced with the tennis public, but Djokovic should take steps to ensure his legacy is one of brilliant technician but also fantastic sportsman, as he is considered by many of his peers. He may not care too much about his relationship with the crowds right now, while he is using the friction to churn out hard wins. But if he wants his legacy to truly be about being the GOAT, he will need to spend a bit more time on his whole reputation, not just his ability with racket in hand.
