In a recent chat on (Ne)uspjeh Prvaka’s YouTube channel, tennis superstar Novak Djokovic opened up about how his relationships with both Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have changed over the years. He said:
“My attitude toward them in that sense never changed. The situation because their attitude towards me changed. I always tried to be, how should I put it? I looked up to them. I still look at them as people who paved the way for me, especially Federer, who is six years older than me. The moment I felt that coldness and distance from him, I said okay, no problem.”
Djokovic also claimed that he has always felt like an “unwanted child” in contrast to the admiration Nadal and Federer have received throughout their careers.
“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 very beginning,” he added. “They didn’t like that I was there and now I was challenging those two,” he added.
“Trying to be what they wanted, they wanted me to play to their tune.” – Djokovic
He further stated: “And second, like I said, I respect and admire the two of them, as I always have. I have never said a bad word about either of them and I never will, because I have self-respect. But I wanted to be better than them and I know I will be. I have no problem saying that, I have always said it. 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.”
Djokovic shared how the emotional toll affected him as he tried to fit in and be liked.
“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,” Djokovic concluded.
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