Changed crowd opinion of Djokovic after Federer retires?

[Dly]

Right now we see Federer as the aging champion, fending off hungry younger rivals to keep his throne. He’s essentially in his swan song, and his longstanding fans are fervently hoping he’ll deliver one more triumphant victory in a slam final before passing into retirement. Even though he’s the most popular player, I think the “aging king” element is a big contributing factor to the disparity in crowd reactions to Federer and Djokovic at Wimbledon.

Now let’s say Federer retires and Nadal follows suit soon after. Will an aging Djokovic be seen as Federer is seen now? Will people start seeing him as the good guy once he’s older and having to struggle to overcome younger rivals? Or will he always considered the unbeatable villain that intruded upon Federer and Nadal’s golden rivalry?

Curious to hear your thoughts.

 

[WhiskeyEE]

Federer was popular when he faced old Agassi though. Even in his mid 20s.

 

[mistik]

I dont think so. He isnt charismatic champion.Nothing can change that even he won 24 slams.He is going to be respected more than he truly loved.

 

[Ray Mercer]

No Djokovic will never be embraced. Remember how much flack he got at the US Open year ago for his cowardly tactics? Roddick called him out hard years ago. His style of play is also as entertaining as watching paint dry. If he was just a quiet humble guy that went about his business he would be far more liked.

 

[OhYes]

I think it will but not in that amount as Fed is now. We should know that there are masses of Fed fans out there, and they won't start loving Novak as Fed for sure.

 

[BeatlesFan]

I think the “aging king” element is a big contributing factor to the disparity in crowd reactions to Federer and Djokovic at Wimbledon.

You think wrong. Djokovic has never been popular, whereas Fed was enormously popular, world-wide, after 2003. There is absolutely no "aging king" factor with Roger, just watch his match against Novak in 2008 at the AO, when everything he did was cheered and Nole had DF's applauded. Fed was 26 then, hardly an "aging king."

In any case, how can it matter to you if, in 6 years if Novak is still playing, that he gets a thunderous ovation on Centre Court? This topic is just beaten to death endlessly. It's like the Djoker fans cannot accept intellectually or emotionally that he's an extremely unpopular #1. The fact it irks him so much just makes his situation worse. He's never going to be popular like Federer, just learn to live with it. No one in the history of the sport has come close to Roger's popularity, so just give it up.

Lendl played until 1994 and he was hated just as much the last time he stepped on court as in 1979, when he entered the tour. Popularity is never going to suddenly explode once you've established yourself as passively loathed for the duration of your career.

Some articles for you to peruse on the never-ending "Novak is unpopular" refrain:

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sp...y/news-story/c28b84cc8e2a197cdc603ca9d395a5f7

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/opini...is-too-ungodly-to-ever-be-called-the-greatest

How about this one... "Everyone Hates Novak," from 2 days ago. In contains the oh-so-true observation about Sunday, " It felt as though the entire world was cheering for Federer because the whole world was cheering for Federer."

https://www.joe.co.uk/sport/everybody-hates-novak-236650

 

[Dly]

Dang, that’s harsh, but I understand where you’re coming from.

I do feel like Djokovic has changed though. He seems to me like a gracious winner/graceful loser nowadays.

 

[RunDatGame]

Its not harsh, its mean, pure hating on a guy thats keep beating his idol.
I don't care how popular Novak is, I honestly don't, thats such a stupid thing to be concerned with. He certanly isn't "an extremely unpopular" as this guy said, but i can see how much pain he delivers to Fed fanboys.

 

[imageFAM]

Its not harsh, its mean, pure hating on a guy thats keep beating his idol.
I don't care how popular Novak is, I honestly don't, thats such a stupid thing to be concerned with. He certanly isn't "an extremely unpopular" as this guy said, but i can see how much pain he delivers to Fed fanboys.

nailed it

 

[ChaelAZ]

Will an aging Djokovic be seen as Federer is seen now? Will people start seeing him as the good guy once he’s older and having to struggle to overcome younger rivals? Or will he always considered the unbeatable villain that intruded upon Federer and Nadal’s golden rivalry?

Curious to hear your thoughts.

No.
No.
No.

 

[helterskelter]

I'm not sure this is always true. As late as 1988, when Navratilova beat Evert in the Wimbledon semis, the entire crowd was on Evert's side, and Navratilova said after the match that she felt like an alien out there. And Navratilova was 31 at the time and not far short of 32. It of course did not help that she had won the previous six Wimbledons and was only two matches shy of making it seven in a row, something she ultimately failed to achieve, as she lost to Graf in the final. But, anyway, she was very deep into her career and still not very popular but, after Evert retired, Navratilova did achieve much popularity as grand old dame of the women's game. In 1991, the US Open crowd was as firmly on her side against Seles as the Wimbledon crowd had been on Evert's side against her. Sure, some of that is because Seles was not Evert. But the same could happen with Djokovic. If in, say, four years, a 36-year-old Djokovic is doing battle with Zverev and if Zverev has become the top player by then and it looks as though Djokovic can no longer beat him, I think there's a good chance that the crowd will get behind Djokovic in that matchup. And if it becomes a rival that Zverev mostly dominates, then I think it's quite likely that Djokovic will become pretty popular overall.

You think wrong. Djokovic has never been popular, whereas Fed was enormously popular, world-wide, after 2003. There is absolutely no "aging king" factor with Roger, just watch his match against Novak in 2008 at the AO, when everything he did was cheered and Nole had DF's applauded. Fed was 26 then, hardly an "aging king."

In any case, how can it matter to you if, in 6 years if Novak is still playing, that he gets a thunderous ovation on Centre Court? This topic is just beaten to death endlessly. It's like the Djoker fans cannot accept intellectually or emotionally that he's an extremely unpopular #1. The fact it irks him so much just makes his situation worse. He's never going to be popular like Federer, just learn to live with it. No one in the history of the sport has come close to Roger's popularity, so just give it up.

Lendl played until 1994 and he was hated just as much the last time he stepped on court as in 1979, when he entered the tour. Popularity is never going to suddenly explode once you've established yourself as passively loathed for the duration of your career.

Some articles for you to peruse on the never-ending "Novak is unpopular" refrain:

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sp...y/news-story/c28b84cc8e2a197cdc603ca9d395a5f7

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/opini...is-too-ungodly-to-ever-be-called-the-greatest

How about this one... "Everyone Hates Novak," from 2 days ago. In contains the oh-so-true observation about Sunday, " It felt as though the entire world was cheering for Federer because the whole world was cheering for Federer."

https://www.joe.co.uk/sport/everybody-hates-novak-236650

 

[Tennis_Hands]

..

 

[mandy01]

No. Del Potro is more well liked than Novak. Maybe if he left his parents at home, you'd cheer for him during a match or two.

 

[jga111]

With respect OP you have completely missed how Fed got popular in the first place. His tennis! Win or lose his tennis is exciting, graceful, at times mercurial, positive, aggressive and entertaining! THIS is why Fed is popular. He gambles - do you realise how brave and gutsy you have to be to play his kind of shots? Then add his charisma, his success and it just transcends his status further.

Djoko’s tennis is damn effective but does not capture the hearts of the people. Contrary to Fed his tennis is safe, measured. It’s his mental strength that is his real super power - hard for a crowd to be entertained by that. Don’t get me wrong, we can like the guy (hell he is even charismatic himself) but his tennis doesn’t really beat the heart like Federer’s does. Then you have Novak trying too hard to be liked which kinda goes against him. Not so much now. I like him. But his tennis does not excite me.

Djoko can finish his career with 25 slams. He will be respected and appreciated as he is now sure. But no vavavoom

 

[Raiden]

Federer has been hugely popular for the entirety of Nadal's and Djokovic's careers. They won't become more popular after he retires: they have lived too long in his shadow, and they won't have enough success to make an impact that lasts for that to change. Maybe of Federer retires this year and they go on for three four more and are hugely successful they can near him, but I don't see that happening.

They will. By default.

That doesn't mean they will be as popular as Roger is now but Novak will no longer be subjected to UE celebrations at Wimbledons and outright boos at the US Open. Simply because there will not be a huge crowd invested in his defeat (even if they may favor his opponent it would be a highly invested sentiment since there is no one player in the back of their mind who they want to stay safe from Djokovic.

Individuals may prefer other players coming up behind Djoker, but then these others will be multiple scattered players, not one rival upstaging him.

 

[Raiden]

Federer has been hugely popular for the entirety of Nadal's and Djokovic's careers. They won't become more popular after he retires: they have lived too long in his shadow, and they won't have enough success to make an impact that lasts for that to change. Maybe of Federer retires this year and they go on for three four more and are hugely successful they can near him, but I don't see that happening.

They will. By default.

That doesn't mean they will be as popular as Roger is now but Novak will no longer be subjected to UE celebrations at Wimbledons and outright boos at the US Open. Simply because there will not be a huge crowd invested in his defeat (even if they may favor his opponent it would be a highly invested sentiment since there is no one player in the back of their mind who they want to stay safe from Djokovic.

Individuals may prefer other players coming up behind Djoker, but then these others will be multiple scattered players, not one rival upstaging him.

 

[junior74]

The Martyr Game goes on, win or lose

 

[Tennis_Hands]

..

 

[Phoenix1983]

How about this one... "Everyone Hates Novak," from 2 days ago. In contains the oh-so-true observation about Sunday, " It felt as though the entire world was cheering for Federer because the whole world was cheering for Federer."

https://www.joe.co.uk/sport/everybody-hates-novak-236650

^ this one is actually a really great article.

 

[The Fedfather]

When Fedal retire the general attitude fans have toward Djokovic won't change much. The ones that liked and respected him as a great player and good guy will likely start rooting for him more, but those who disliked him for one reason or the other will continue to dislike him. So regarding the crowd support, it's just a question of whether there are more people who just like Djokovic less than Federer/Nadal or the crowds are filled with people who dislike him? I personally think it' the first one.

BTW, Djokovic being a villain in the public eye is one of the biggest overdramatizations on TTW I've seen. Makes me chuckle, the whole "He should embrace the role of the villain" shtick. I'm sure most people who don't like Djokovic, including those who are salty that he's beating their favorites - mainly Fedal fans, may attribute negative traits to him or exaggerate his shortcomings/questionable things he does, but they don't actually think he's evil lol.

 

[Raiden]

Djokovic turned pro the same year Federer won his first slam (2003).
In turn when the Joker had a maiden slam (2008) Dimitrov turned pro.

Conclusion: Djokovic's future is not under any threat at the other end (to be overshadowed by any weak-era pro from behind).

So "Nolefam" should quit proving Kyrgios right by appearing desperate. His time will come. One day he to will be an elderly statesman who only gets applauses and never boos. Heck, even Lendl managed to achieve that kinda popularity and applauses in center courts around the world, and he never ever begged anyone for sympathy and never even slightly compromised his views or soften his ice cool demeanour to get there.

 

[Elektra]

Let me play Devil's advocate and say yes it will change. I don't think Novak is as hated as fans want to believe, when he had his bad year, people missed him, were rooting for him and what he brought to men's tennis. In fact when he went down people started to think that men's tennis was dead. Regardless of what people want to beleive to themselves, Djokovic has been that missing ingredient in creating the golden era of men's tennis.

If Federer and even Nadal retires, tennis fans will hold on to their nostalgia through Djokovic.

 

[MugOpponent]

Federer has been hugely popular for the entirety of Nadal's and Djokovic's careers. They won't become more popular after he retires: they have lived too long in his shadow, and they won't have enough success to make an impact that lasts for that to change. Maybe of Federer retires this year and they go on for three four more and are hugely successful they can near him, but I don't see that happening.

This idea that Novak and Rafa are in Roger's shadow accomplishment wise is laughable. They are giants in their own right.

 

[big ted]

the only way the crowd will start to love djokovic is if fed starts coaching him

 

[Roddick85]

I have to disagree with a lot of what's been said so far. I think Federer has always been well liked since he became a top star back in 2003, but it wasn't until he started to become a bit more "vulnerable" that his popularity really rose to new heights. When Nadal & Djokovic emerged as threats to his dominance and he started to decline and lose more regularly to them, he became more popular then ever. If I look at the last couple of years, Fed is definitely more popular now than he was at his peak between 2003-2006. Fact is, everyone loves an underdog and as the years flew by, Federer became the underdog in his main rivalries instead of the dominant force he was a decade ago and I believe that boosted his popularity a bit along with the nostalgia factor of his long career. When you look at Federer from a PR stand point, he embodies the classic gentlemen image associated to tennis more than any other player and he's become even better at PR the more he ages.

Unfortunately for Djokovic, I don't think he will ever reach the level of popularity Federer or Nadal have enjoyed for so many years even if both of them are long gone. Even in finals where Fedal aren't there, the crowd tend to root for whoever is playing against Djokovic so I doubt this will change if at all. The only thing I can see that would boost his popularity is if Fedal are retired, those of us who enjoyed the "Fedalovic thrivalry" might rally behind him for nostalgia sake but I think that's more wishful thinking on my part than anything else. It's sad, because I would like to see the crowd rooting for him just once as I feel he deserves that. Whether you like his style or not, you can't deny his accomplishments and I believe he's a decent guy as well.