The chilly relationship between Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic has by no means been a thriller. A human {and professional} relationship that has typically ended up below the magnifying glass. For the Serbian’s outbursts when he was younger and for the coldness (and indifference) of the Swiss Maestro in the direction of him. And never having proven respect for Nole is certainly one of Federer’s regrets. In emotional phrases shared with The Telegraph, Roger acknowledged that he had not given Djokovic the respect he deserved and had not helped followers look past the tennis rivalry.
“I confronted him at Munich 2006 for the primary time and I left the pitch considering: Sure, it is okay. Despite the fact that there was a little bit of hype round him, I wasn’t fully satisfied. I feel I did not give Novak the respect he deserved as a result of his technical shortcomings. It appeared to me that Novak had a extremely excessive grip when hitting the forehand. His backhand for me wasn’t as easy as it’s right this moment. However then he solved this stuff very effectively and have become a monster as a participant. I assume firstly he was seen because the killjoy by my followers and Rafa’s followers.
Rafa and I had been very liked, so when Novak arrived most likely lots of people mentioned: ‘Look, we do not want a 3rd man. We’re proud of Roger and Rafa’. My followers, firstly, did not prefer it very a lot as a result of they thought: ‘Roger does every little thing extra merely’. Then Novak arrived together with his robust character and that unbelievable need to win in any respect prices. I feel Novak was additionally stimulated by this relationship with a part of the group. His deep focus could have scared some folks. He was misunderstood. I look past the media and in the end contemplate the person that he’s. If I contemplate Novak past tennis, who’s he? What are his values? I do know he cares deeply about his household,” Federer admitted truthfully.
Can this sincere admission by Federer compensate for the lower than idyllic relations between the Swiss and the Serb? Sure, I feel, as a result of ultimately, Nole earned the respect of the Swiss Maestro and, contemplating how their relationship was seen up to now years, that is actually an necessary step ahead, which might additionally put an finish to the social feud between the followers of the 2 factions.
Roger Federer says he didn’t give Djokovic the respect he deserved early in his profession & Novak is misunderstood, ‘He was the celebration crasher of Rafa and Roger followers’
“I performed him in Monaco the very first time [Federer won 6-3, 2-6, 6-3 in 2006] and I walked off the courtroom and… pic.twitter.com/sTmqimNpzE
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) June 11, 2024
When Djokovic took his first steps on the ATP Tour, Federer and Nadal dominated tennis. Folks had, in principle, already chosen a aspect: the one dilemma appeared to determine the followers of the Swiss and people of the Spaniard. The Serbian has at all times believed in himself and, with out ever hiding, he instantly challenged those that would turn into his two largest rivals. This mixture of things – the love that followers had for Federer and Nadal on the one hand and his robust ambition on the opposite – constructed the proper picture of the third wheel, who arrived on the Tour to steal the scepter from the group’s favorites . The Serbian subsequently started to beat them, profitable match after match and breaking information till he collected extra Slams than each of his opponents. One other reality is that he contributed to fueling some sporting hatred in the direction of him.
Djokovic talked about his relationship with the group a couple of months in the past, in January 2024, on Nick Kyrgios’ Good Hassle podcast.
“I do not know, it actually is dependent upon the state of affairs. Folks assume I reap the benefits of that vitality, when somebody would not like me or I face adversity on and off the pitch. Typically I do it as a result of it is the one factor on my thoughts and I must discover a resolution. I’ve to discover a technique to win a tennis match and be who I’m whereas staying true to myself. I do know not everybody will like me. I do know folks clearly have their favourite gamers or perhaps they need the underdog to win. Issues like that occur. I have been on Tour for therefore lengthy and I’ve skilled some nice atmospheres in my favor and nice atmospheres in opposition to me. However I feel in the end you actually have to know the second, since you’re not going to really feel the identical manner each single day,” mentioned the Serb.
Later, Nole, throughout an interview with CBS’ 60 Minutes, added: “For lots of my profession, I’ve performed in actually hostile environments. In a manner, I’ve realized to emerge and do my finest in these tough circumstances. Folks now assume that I play higher when I’ve the group in opposition to me. It occurred, however I really favor to play in an setting the place I get nice help. I’ve damaged plenty of rackets in my life, and I am not happy with it. I am ashamed of myself after I do that, surely. However on the identical time I attempt to settle for myself as an imperfect human being.”
