Djokovic like Federer and Nadal: his greatness deserves recognition from fans



by LORENZO CIOTTI

Djokovic like Federer and Nadal: his greatness deserves recognition from fans
Djokovic like Federer and Nadal: his greatness deserves recognition from fans © Clive Brunskill / Staff Getty Images Sport

In recent years, the tennis world has been divided between two icons: Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Despite this, there is another figure who has established himself as one of the best players of all time, but who often seems to be overshadowed by his great rivals. We are talking about Novak Djokovic.

It is undeniable that Djokovic has achieved extraordinary results throughout his career. He has won 24 Grand Slam titles, surpassing both Federer and Nadal. Furthermore, he has shown incredible consistency, maintaining his position at the top of world tennis for long periods.

Despite these indisputable merits, Djokovic still seems to struggle to gain recognition and admiration from fans in a similar way to Federer and Nadal. There are several reasons that can explain this unequal treatment.

First, Djokovic's personality can be misinterpreted by some fans. He is known for being a very emotional player, often indulging in exaggerated reactions, which can sometimes make it appear that he does not respect his opponent or that he lacks humility. This contrasts with the image of elegance and composure that Federer and Nadal project on the court, which has certainly won the affection of many fans.

Djokovic's greatness deserves recognition from fans

Secondly, Djokovic has spent a good part of his career facing the shadow of Federer and Nadal. He has always been the third wheel in the rivalry between these two champions, and this has inevitably influenced the perception that many have of him. The dominance of Federer and Nadal at certain stages of their careers made Djokovic a secondary character, even though he was present and enjoyed great contemporary success.

Finally, romance in tennis plays a significant role. Federer and Nadal are perceived as players with a more elegant and artistic playing style, providing spectacle and joy to tennis lovers in every match. In contrast, Djokovic's playing style is described as a war machine, based on his incredible physical and mental resistance. This can be interpreted as less glamorous and less "romantic" than that of its rivals.

However, it is important to note that each player has his own peculiarities. Djokovic may not have the romanticism associated with Federer or the elegance of Nadal, but he has demonstrated great mental strength, incredible technique and an absolute dedication to his sport. His will to win and his consistency in achieving impressive results should be recognized and appreciated by tennis fans.

Although Novak Djokovic has proven to be one of the best players of all time, if not the GOAT, his great career still seems to be partly overshadowed by Federer and Nadal. However, it's time for fans to change their perspective and give Djokovic the recognition he deserves. They must leave preconceptions aside and admire the mastery of this extraordinary player, because Djokovic is undoubtedly one of the great champions in the history of sport and the one who comes closest to the title of GOAT.