Why do people not like Djokovic?

Question

Hi I have read many comments on this website and it seems there are a fair few that do not like him.

Personally I think he is great for the sport as he is just as good on the court than he is off it. He does all his interviews and media events and does a great job of promoting the sport rather than promoting himself-How much do you know about him exactly?

In his interviews he comes across as a highly intellegent person.

As far as I can see he is a really good sportsman who is gracious in defeat and in victory. In defeat he is very honest and just because he picks up on his own faults people seem to think he is taking the credit away from his opponent He is not doing that he just a good competitor **

But what I want to know is why you or why other people do not like him. Please just don't say 'he is arragant' or 'he is a bad sport' etc please back up your opinions.

I am not having a go at Djokovic haters I am just interested as to why people don't seem to like him.

Thankyo

Answer 1

Everybody has his fans, and so does Novak.

Answer 2

I can’t speak for everyone but for me the reasons why I don’t like this guy has to do with his arrogance both on and off the court. I know this is not what you wanted to hear but it is a fact. LOL

Djokovic has a way about him that suggests that he believes he is better than every other player on the tour, past or persent. Okay there is no real problem with that. In every sport, as an athlete you have to have self-belief first, if you hope to ever achieve anything. However the sport of tennis is unlike every other sport. As fans of tennis we demand that our tennis players not only play well, but play with class and respect for their opponents. We expect that you be gracious in defeat and humble in victory. That’s has always been the major principles behind this sport. However in Djokovic’s case he acts like he is above all of these things and at times shows little respect for anyone.

The first time I ever heard of this guy was at the 2005 US Open. Does anyone remember his first round match against Gael Monfils? Late in the fourth or fifth set, (sorry I can’t seem to remember now) Djokovic was cramping up, having problems breathing in the heat, not to mention he appeared to be clearly losing the match. Then he called for the trainer. Seeing that the match was being played in one of the outer courts, the trainer took almost fifteen minutes to appear on court. By the time he did, Djokovic was feeling much better and any signs of an injury were long gone. BUT he still took the injury break nonetheless. Needless to say he went on to win the match. I remember listening to Tracey Austin commentating later that day and saying how sick she felt while watching that match, given that Djokovic had basically cheated his way to a win.

His cocky, arrogant attitude was then displayed, to my attention, at his breakthrough performance on the tour, when he got to the Quarterfinals of the 2006 French Open, where he faced Rafael Nadal. At the time Nadal was the entire buzz about tennis. He was the defending champion and appeared to be putting serious pressure on Federer’s throne at the top. Going into the match everyone expected an easy win for Nadal, as much of the tennis world had never even heard of this Djokovic guy. So it came to no one’s surprise to see Nadal go two sets up to love. Then Djokovic suddenly retired from the match and later in his press conference he told the media that had he been 100% he would have definitely been able to beat Nadal. LOL I remember thinking to myself “who the h**l does this guy thinks he is? He has never won a title, never had any serious results in any major tournament to date, nobody never even heard of him before and now he is saying that he would have beaten Nadal had he been 100% fit!!”

I am sure that there are many more examples but these were my first two memories of him. Okay I am willing to chalk up these moments to immaturity. Everyone takes their own time to grow into the person that they are meant to be, right? So I am willing to give the guy a break.

However at the 2007 US Open where he showed the world his imitations of his fellow opponents serve and game, I must admit when I saw that, at the time I laughed hysterically because I thought that the guy was just goofing off and meant no harm. But when I heard Roger telling him that he should be careful about doing these imitations because not all the guys in the locker room thinks its funny, that’s when I realize that not everyone was laughing at it. (Remember the way the press had highlighted his impressions, they made it seem like it was okay for everyone to laugh and have a little fun at what he was doing.) BUT if you look at the actual tape of him doing these imitations in the locker room, you will understand how disrespectful it was to his fellow opponents for him to be basically “mocking” the way they serve and go about playing their game.

You see you have to understand that while all this may be summed up as childish games and considered funny, in a professional sport such as tennis, when you are the “newbie” or “hot rising star” to the sport, the first rule you must obey is the rule that says you should respect your elders.

Have we forgotten the problems that both Venus Williams and Martina Hingis suffered when they first appeared on the tour? When Venus’ arrogance came off as if she felt she was the best tennis player ever to play the sport, despite never winning any major title or beating any significant top-ranked player in 1997-early 1998, and when Hingis said Graf was “too old” and later said the same of Jana Novotna, her doubles partner. They got in trouble because fans and tennis insiders alike do not tolerate this kind of attitude from anyone.

Of course there have been exceptions to this rule, but only when these players have reach a certain degree of maturity and attained a level on humility in the way they go about their game, were the public then willing to praise and lift them up to the heights in which they believe they already were.

Since then Djokovic has done many things to rub many people the wrong way. His “winking of the eye” at last month’s French Open ahead of his quarterfinal match against Ernest Gulbist was another telling sign of his already over inflated ego. It’s always nice to see a young and unknown player reached the latter stages of a Grandslam for the first time in their careers, and such was the case with Gulbis at the last month’s French Open. The press has it already written that Djokovic would win this match easily but in speaking to the press ahead of the match, Djokovic had proclaimed that he had known Gulbis since they were both young and therefore this was going to be a very tough match for him. Then right after saying that he winked his eye suggesting “yeah right!!! You know I am going to win this match easily!!!” I know I maybe adding meaning to this wink of the eye, but come on, what else do you think he was talking about there when he did that.

Okay I also can’t stand his constant ripping off the shirt, the way that his parents react throughout a match, the comments that his mother has made towards Federer on repeated occasions, and I am sure that there are many more.

Anyway you said you wanted me to back up my opinions… well I believe I just did with these facts. You don’t have to agree with me on anything I have mentioned but this is just where the harsh feelings I have for this guy lies. I hope that you understand and that my response provided you with the answers you were looking for. Have a nice day.

Answer 3

Well everyone is entitled to their opinions. I think Novak is a great player thats for sure i just dont like his arrogance, just his personality, id respect him more if he showed other players respect!!! But hey if we`re talking about the guys tennis then he has an amazing talent.

I agree with Ana.

Well G Stokes. As a player he comes across as ``im the best`` no other player can beat me. Fair enough in tennis you got to have confidence but he goes overboard. We all no what he can do, we all no he`s a pretty good player...but he just parades around with that cheeky cocky attitude. Shouting `i am king` and his family are worse !!! There sooo rude. Did u hear whats his mother was saying to Roger ``the king is dead`` or something along the lines of that.

Answer 4

Djokovic is just like his name phonetically sounds a joke. He has one Grand Slam to his credit and he got that because he was fortunate enough not to draw Nadal in the Semi who would have kicked his ***. But rather he played an ill Roger. He was lucky that Fed was ill with mono or else instead of it being a close match Fed would have steam rolled him. Tsonga the Nadal killer who was in his first GS Final and was nervous not playing as sharp or as focused as he did against Nadal gave Nole little challenge. So one GS that he really didn't earn and he has the audacity to prance around like a Tennis Great. He reminds me of the ignorant kid in school who doesn't study and doesn't do well on exams because his parents don't believe in formal education since they never had any. He walks around thinking that he knows everything and shooting his mouth off to everyone. Another kid whose parents are a Lawyer and a Dr. and is planning to become a Professional himself after attending Harvard sits quietly in the corner afraid to open his mouth because he realizes how little he knows compared to the truly educated men and women in the world. The former is Novak and the later are Rafa & Roger.

Answer 5

Ditto Tennis_k

Answer 6

Many people like Novak for his personality, his game, and the way he brings things to the court. I find him to be a quitter SOMETIMES, because in Queens against Nadal in the finals, in one of Nadal's service games in the second set, he just started whacking forehands like he didn't care, and got lucky. He had a bad attitude, smashing his racquet, and then just looked like it was over. At the end, he tried a stupid dropshot just to end the match because he was too much of a quitter. If he really wanted it, he would have put more effort. He may be gracious in defeat, but he thinks he is so great, and I can tell from his attitude. But you know, people have their opinions, and I'm not saying he's too bad of a sport, I personally don't like his attitude, that's all.

Answer 7

Most people are idol worshippers. They see Novak is a threat to their idol Federer and Nadal.

Answer 8

he's great. i'm from serbia and we have some mutual friends. 3 months ago i was with him in one club in belgrade and i can only say that he's really funny and cute and... all the best!!!

Answer 9

I like him. I haven't really seen him not shake a players hand when he loses or throw his racket or start cursing. I can see how fans of Rafa or Federer see him as a threat so they might not like him as much. I think Novak is a great player and he brings his game and humor.

Answer 10

he is arrogant

Answer 11

I love Djokovic!! He's a very talented tennis player!! He  has a glowing personality!!!

Answer 12

There are many reasons that I dislike Djokovic, but primarily I do not see a true champion in him. When Rafa or Roger lose a match they give credit first and foremost to their opponents. When you play a bad match, more than likely your opponent had something to do with it. When Rafa beat Novak at the French, his post match interview offered a whole host of excuses, and he did liitle to acknowledge Rafa.

1. He said it was very windy on the court (didn't Rafa have the wind too?)

2. He said he did not feel well. (He has used that excuse before when losing matches)

3. He said he couldn't get his rythym going (that's what Rafa does to people!!!)

He also said in another interview that he felt he was getting really close to Rafa on clay and that he felt confident enough to beat Roger on any surface! Self belief or arrogance??? There is nothing wrong with exuberance or celebration on the court during a match, but a little respect is due off of the court, especially with true champions like Roger and Rafa. His imitation of Rafa pulling his shorts out of his rear was just plain disrespectful, and thankfully he has stopped that nonsense. Maybe Djokovic will grow up and mature into the player that he already thinks he is. Only time well tell. But what I already know is that no truer champions are on tour like Roger and Rafa.

Shogun

Answer 13

ok, everybody has their oppinions, and they're respectable.-

i just don't like the guy, and do think he's cocky, arrogant and a bad loser.-

yes, he is a great player, but i don't think that's enough, not for me at least.-