Ex Serena Williams' coach: "Djokovic will never be as popular as Federer or Nadal"
by LORENZO CIOTTI | VIEW 43050
With the victory at the US Open, the Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic achieved his 24th Grand Slam title, he returned to number one in the ATP world ranking at over 36 years of age and he has perhaps closed the GOAT question, answering on the court to those who don't think so the greatest ever.
Nole also contributed to his Serbia's qualification for the Davis Cup next round. Young stars who played less in New York preferred to rest, while Nole did not want to abandon his country, after the triumph at Flushing Meadows.
Rennae Stubbs, former coach of US tennis legend Serena Williams, said Djokovic wants to win more trophies than Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal because he knows he cannot match the popularity of the Swiss and the Spaniard.
She explained in the latest episode of The Rennae Stubbs Tennis podcast: "Djokovic's numbers are just incredible and no matter how or what. He's very polarizing in a lot of ways to a lot of people, but for me, as a former pro and somebody who has watched this game for a really long time.
You just have to marvel at his ability to just never quit and he's relentless.
I think Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal definitely personified wanting to win a lot but it's obsessive to Novak and you can see it. He wants to put the numbers up because he knows he's not gonna be as popular worldwide as Roger and Rafa.
I think I'm right in saying that, it's just a fact. I think he wants to put the numbers up so much that 'Yes they may be more popular than me but I'll always be the greatest and I'll always have the numbers over them' and he doesn't care and I admire him for that."
Roddick praises Djokovic
In New York, Nole was honored by former American tennis player Andy Riddick.
On his Betway blog, Roddick talked about what happened at Flushing Meadows.
Here are his words specifically: "Djokovic's dominance and the way in which he is able to win tournaments borders on the absurd. I think he is the most reliable tennis player we have ever seen in this sport.
I wouldn't bet against him on any surface at any stage of the year. Looking only at the statistics and denying that he is the best in history is now impossible, it would almost be like questioning gravity.
He has already equaled Margaret Court on 24 Slams, but he will soon reach 25.
From there he will only play against himself, there really is nothing else for him. In the end now you just need to understand what your motivations will be, in addition obviously to your health, which should never be taken for granted. In any case we can say that he is the best sportsman on earth right now."
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