Novak Djokovic’s tenure near the top of men’s tennis is as much about the matches as the ways he often shaped the sport in the shadows of Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.
The 38-year-old now sits at 24 Grand Slams – more than both Nadal and Federer – and remains a central figure as the legacy debates begin to settle into their final form.
For more than a decade, that trio pushed each other to new heights. Rarely have three players enjoyed such consistent overlap in a single era – and it led to some of the most memorable moments in tennis history.
Yet for much of that time, Djokovic found himself in a different light. While Federer and Nadal were often the crowd favorites, Djokovic didn’t always receive the same warmth. It’s something he’s spoken about before – and one that he reflected on again this week.
Djokovic shares how the dynamic between him and his rivals has changed
Nadal and Federer remained the standard until 2011, the year Djokovic shifted the balance. That season, he won three majors and compiled a 10-1 record against them both. It was clear he wasn’t just part of the conversation – he was moving to the front of it.
Years later, Djokovic would go on to complete the full set: more Grand Slams than his rivals and, as of 2024, an Olympic gold medal.
In a recent appearance on the (Ne)uspjeh Prvaka YouTube channel, Djokovic gave some insight into how his rise may have shifted the attitude between him and the other two.
“My attitude toward them never changed,” Djokovic said. “But their attitude toward me did. I always respected them. I looked up to them – I still do. Especially Federer, who’s six years older. But there was a time when I felt a certain coldness, a distance. That’s when I realized things weren’t quite the same.”
The Serbian also stated that his friendship with Nadal remained a bit closer: “With Rafa, maybe because we’re closer in age, I always felt we understood each other a bit better.”
Djokovic reflects on the differences in crowd support
Earlier this season, Djokovic captured his 100th ATP title at the Geneva Open. He now sits just three trophies behind Federer and continues to distance himself from Nadal in the overall count.
But results do not always translate to universal support. Djokovic has long been open about the crowd edge that Federer and Nadal seemed to enjoy – even when he was winning.
“I was the young guy who came in and said I’m going to be number one. They [the media] didn’t like that from the beginning. They didn’t like that I was there challenging those two,” Djokovic said on the same (Ne)uspjeh Prvaka interview.
“But you have to be politically correct in their kind of atmosphere. And then first the media starts, then someone else, then the sponsors. Then the whole machinery kicks in. Powerful sponsors, corporations behind the tournaments.
“You’re fighting Goliath and trying to be liked and honestly that’s why I said it hurt me. Because I tried to connect with people on a human level, not just with them. I simply noticed that it was a ruthless competition and a fight. A real war.
“But it’s true, I did try to be liked by people a little. Then I realised there’s no need to pretend because it wasn’t me. Trying to be what they wanted, they wanted me to play to their tune. I admit it, that’s how it was.
“Because I felt like an unwanted child. That’s how I felt. At that time I kept thinking why is this happening, what did I do? And it hurt me so much. Then I realised that a part of the tennis and sports public would never accept or love me because of my attitude, behaviour and whatever else. But I am who I am and I sleep peacefully.”
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