Novak Djokovic opens up emotionally about feeling less loved than Nadal and Federer โ the burden of greatness can be lonely.
Novak Djokovic got candid about his struggles in the tennis world, revealing that he often felt like he didnโt quite belong. He shared that, unlike Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, he didnโt feel as loved or accepted by fans during the initial phase of his career.
Djokovic made his professional debut in 2003, but it wasnโt until 2008 that he truly broke through, winning his first Grand Slam at the Australian Open. By then, Federer had already collected 12 Majors and Nadal had three to his name, with everyone fully invested in the Federer-Nadal rivalry.
When the Serb began rising through the ranks, many saw him as an outsider trying to crash the Federer-Nadal party. He wanted to be part of that elite group so badly that, by his own admission, he tried to act a certain way to fit in. But even then, he never got the same love that the other two did.
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โI acted and still felt like an unwanted child,โ Djokovic said during an interview on Failures of Champions. โI asked myself why that was. It hurt me. Then I thought the fans would accept me if I acted differently. But that wasnโt the case either.โ
โI was never as loved as Federer and Nadal because I wasnโt supposed to be there. I was the little guy, the third guy who came along and said, โIโm going to be No. 1.โ Many people didnโt like that,โ he added.
Although Novak Djokovicโs success came a bit later than Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, he eventually outperformed them both. He holds the record for the most Grand Slam titles with 24, while Nadal and Federer retired with 22 and 20, respectively.
Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer reunite at French Open 2025
Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer finally had an emotional reunion at the 2025 French Open, something fans had been hoping to see for a long time. The moment came during Nadalโs farewell ceremony at the tournament.
Andy Murray joined in too, turning it into a full โBig Fourโ reunion. They chatted, hugged, and shared a few laughs like old times. After the ceremony, they had a touching moment with Nadalโs son to wrap up the emotional day perfectly.
Djokovic is the only one of the four who hasnโt retired yet, and he participated in Roland Garros this year, aiming for his 25th Grand Slam title. But that dream will have to wait, at least till Wimbledon, as he lost to Jannik Sinner in the semifinals in Paris.
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Roger Federer stuns by speaking out on Sinner: โWhatโs happening to Sinner is a crime against tennis. How can one be so cruel and abandon a 23-year-old carrying an entire nationโs burden on his shoulders?โ He also issues a ten-word warning that sends shockwaves worldwide, sparking intense controversy. Sinner responds within five minutesโฆ
Roger Federer stuns by speaking out on Sinner: โWhatโs happening to Sinner is a crime against tennis. How can oneโฆ
Wimbledon opponent warns the other players that Novak Djokovic is back at his prime! 
Wimbledon opponent warns the other players that Novak Djokovic is back at his prime! Novak Djokovic booked his spotโฆ
SAD NEWS: 30 minutes ago in Paris, France. Elina Svitolina was in tears as she revealed the reason why her husband, Gaรซl Monfils, had to withdraw in the middle of the HSBC Champions match. Gaรซl Monfilsโ family had just delivered urgent news to him, forcing him to immediately leave the match and rush back homeโฆ
SAD NEWS: 30 minutes ago in Paris, France. Elina Svitolina was in tears as she revealed the reason whyโฆ
A rejected and cruelly abused black orphan boy was surprisingly found by tennis legend Novak Djokovic, who took him in. But the shock didnโt end there: he taught a terrifying lesson to those who had attacked him, forcing them to apologize amidst the chaos upon learning his identity, and forcing them to do something that left the entire world in awe and admiration!
A rejected and cruelly abused black orphan boy was surprisingly found by tennis legend Novak Djokovic, who took him inโฆ.
BREAKING NEWS: Novak Djokovic receives a severe sanction for โdisruptingโ world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenkaโs pre-Wimbledon 2025 press conference. Wimbledonโs chief executive stated, โWe cannot tolerate that kind of behavior here,โ after lodging a formal complaint. And Djokovicโs subsequent action left the entire audience speechless.
BREAKING NEWS: Novak Djokovic receives a severe sanction for โdisruptingโ world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenkaโs pre-Wimbledon 2025 press conference. Wimbledonโsโฆ
(Video) Novak Djokovic Shows Insane Acrobatic Skills in a High-Quality Rally Against Miomir Kecmanovic at Wimbledon
(Video) Novak Djokovic Shows Insane Acrobatic Skills in a High-Quality Rally Against Miomir Kecmanovic at Wimbledon Novak Djokovic has securedโฆ
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