Victoria Azarenka appeared on a podcast recently, and she reflected on Novak Djokovic and the lack of respect for his achievements.
Novak Djokovic always faced a very problematic thing, and that's messing up the perfect tennis rivalry between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Just as fans started to get used to the ideal rivalry between two beloved players on the ATP Tour, here came Djokovic bursting the bubble for millions of fans.
It's something most fans never quite forgave, especially those proclaiming loyalty to Federer and Nadal. Despite not being warmly welcomed and still discredited to this day, Djokovic kept doing what does best - playing really good tennis. By 2023, he's probably put together the greatest tennis career we've ever seen, but he still doesn't get the credit.
Appearing on the Up Front podcast with Simon Jordan recently, his colleague from the WTA Tour, Victoria Azarenka, talked about that. She's not the only one, as John McEnroe has been talking about it for years, hoping that eventually, fans will come around when it comes to Djokovic.
I feel like Djokovic doesn't get credit. He doesn't get the credit he deserves. I mean, Roger, his elegance, his incredible talent, I think he is the most talented from the Big 3. Rafa, he is just a fighter, like just a full heart, and Novak, his mind, I don't think I have seen that in any athlete.
Another thing that doesn't go in Djokovic's favour is his outspoken nature as he's not afraid to express his beliefs even if they're not exactly popular with the masses. Federer and Nadal mostly stayed away from controversial things, while Djokovic didn't. While admirable, it's not going to help you get many fans.
Some of the criticism he faces, I think he brings on himself, but you have to respect that what he believes in, he stands by, he doesn't waver from it. I can agree, I can disagree with that, but his mind is just so disciplined. It's incredible. I think he really doesn't get enough credit and I am amazed by it.
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