Why is nadal so much more popular than Djokovic?

SumYungGai · Oct 5, 2016

Nadal actually has a more dynamic game than Djokovic - hence he is more fun to watch. He uses more angles, opens up the court more, and takes more risks. Besides straight play, he's a more genuine and likable guy on and off the court. You can see how much fun he has and that bleeds into the crowd and the spectators of the sport.

Not to mention he was unstoppable on clay for the longest time.

DreddyTennis45 · Oct 5, 2016

4-string said:
Not really, it's all about being unlikable.

Obviously. But timing is also key

clayqueen said:
How long is he going to be around after Fedal retire? He will be 30 next year. I don't think it's to do with Fedal being around at all. Federer has been marketed to gullible fans who have bought into his 'elegant' game. This is sport, what has elegance got to do with anything? Nadal is just likeable; he doesn't even try and he is not pushed down the throats of fans like Federer is and yet he draws crowds wherever he plays not only in Spanish speaking countries or the USA. See how he is being mobbed in Beijing.

Lol they're both insanely popular wherever they go. Federer isn't pushed down people's throats, he's just incredibly popular so too Nadal. Not everything is a competition

Chadillac · Oct 5, 2016

Fakes injuries and bounces the ball 27 times on break points against. Nadal is very hard to watch with his 45 secs between points so he can pick his butt.

Tough call, i dont like watching either since they both play the same point every single time. No variety

TheFifthSet · Oct 5, 2016

clayqueen said:
How long is he going to be around after Fedal retire? He will be 30 next year. I don't think it's to do with Fedal being around at all. Federer has been marketed to gullible fans who have bought into his 'elegant' game. This is sport, what has elegance got to do with anything? Nadal is just likeable; he doesn't even try and he is not pushed down the throats of fans like Federer is and yet he draws crowds wherever he plays not only in Spanish speaking countries or the USA. See how he is being mobbed in Beijing.

You're imagining things. Federer won the fan favourite award in 2003, before he started racking up endorsements and getting marketed heavily.

KINGROGER · Oct 5, 2016

I preferred young aggressive jerk Djokovic. Now he tries too hard to be funny and loving everyone.

ChaelAZ · Oct 5, 2016

winstonplum said:
Nadal's tough, never-say-die, gritty, warrior persona on the court was absolutely revolutionary in tennis. Yes, there had been intense, hard-working, gritty players before, but none ever had the almost cinematic dimension that Nadal had. The funny thing is that he's not even really like that anymore. Which is fine. He's grown up. Things change. But the legend will live on forever.

As will Federer's. He was simply the greatest player many people had ever seen in their lives. His talent was breath-taking and Jordanesque.

Djokovic is simply a very, very, very good tennis player. In fact, the best player in the world for the last two years. But that in and of itself doesn't make one a transcendent icon.

That is almost exactly the conversation I have had many times about the three.

For me, players I like have tennis talent, competitiveness, and class. I'd give Djo the first, and a C grade in the second, but he never seems genuine or sincere in winning or defeat. He has definitely become more practiced at looking the part but you just know he is dying inside to yell, "LOOK AT ME AND HOW AMAZING I AM." That is the difference in appreciated legends, people you can appreciate and watch, and then Djokovic,

nadalfan2013 · Oct 5, 2016

It's because Nadal is more attractive physically, has the better personality, is the more humble human, has the more unique and entertaining game and is the bigger champion. Any more questions?

RoddickAce · Oct 5, 2016

Rafa:
1) Has been on the map longer.
2) Was part of many of the best matches in the past decade
3) Was part of one of the most popular rivalries ever (with Fed).
4) Wins with defense but also with incredible shotmaking. Unique style of play with incredible topspin, angles, passing shots, etc.
5) Is humble off court and seems like he shies away from attention instead of craving it.

Djoko has good traits, but some of his issues are:
1) He comes across as trying too hard for attention. (Like Wozniacki).
2) Antagonizes the crowd at times when they cheer for the opponent.
3) Antagonized a home favourite in Roddick at the US Open.
4) Is incredibly adept at a style of play that works in the current environment, but seems similar to many other players.
5) His on court celebrations (i.e. screaming and ripping his shirt in half) may have irked the opponent and fans.

Fedeonic · Oct 5, 2016

nadalfan2013 said:
Nadal is more attractive physically,

I'm not gay, but I have a gay friend who supports your opinion.

nadalfan2013 said:
has the better personality,

Clearly it's easy to me understand Nadal mainly because we speak Spanish as our mother language, so I know exactly what he's trying to tell. It doesn't happen when I hear Djokovic, even when my English is really good.

nadalfan2013 said:
is the more humble human,

True.

nadalfan2013 said:
has the more unique and entertaining game

Not necessary the most entertaining game, but it's a very unique style.

nadalfan2013 said:
and is the bigger champion.

Nadal was, is, and could still be a bigger champion than Nole.

Druss · Oct 5, 2016

papertank said:
Nadal's rise to fame is basically because he represents the anti-Federer. Yin and yang. Not any better or worse, just opposite. Federer plays elegant and offensive attacking tennis while Nadal plays brutal and gritty counter-punching. Federer is the most naturally talented player to ever play while Nadal is the hardest worker. Federer exudes class and skill and Nadal brutality and youth. Anyone who dislikes one is bound to like the other.

Nadal definitely has character on his own but his traits are magnified by comparing him to Federer. Together they have achieved higher popularity than they ever would have separately. For Djokovic and Murray to achieve this kind of popularity they will have to take their rivalry to the next level.

You summoned it up perfectly! However, Djokovic-Murray rivalry will never come close to the Fedal rivalry. They are too similar and their matches are just too boring.

MichaelNadal · Oct 5, 2016

ChaelAZ said:
That is almost exactly the conversation I have had many times about the three.

For me, players I like have tennis talent, competitiveness, and class. I'd give Djo the first, and a C grade in the second, but he never seems genuine or sincere in winning or defeat. He has definitely become more practiced at looking the part but you just know he is dying inside to yell, "LOOK AT ME AND HOW AMAZING I AM." That is the difference in appreciated legends, people you can appreciate and watch, and then Djokovic,

Exactly. Nadal never had that "look how great I am at tennis" thing about him even though he is. Humble, different, devastating.

adil1972 · Oct 5, 2016

where will u rank djokovic, if he didnt win any more slams

Deleted member 716271 · Oct 5, 2016

MichaelNadal said:
Exactly. Nadal never had that "look how great I am at tennis" thing about him even though he is. Humble, different, devastating.

Federer has definitely been less humble than Novak, so using this criteria, you should rank Djoko in the middle above Federer in terms of likeability, but you don't.

I have some thoughts as to why people don't like Novak on the whole, and they do not reflect well on the human species. It's always tricky in arguments like this, because everyone is entitled to their opinion and it's mainly all in good fun, so people don't like to be challenged or feel like they should be told who to like or not. But I do think there are some unpleasant reasons that contribute to why some people seem to have a visceral distaste for ND.

MichaelNadal · Oct 5, 2016

125downthemiddle said:
Federer has definitely been less humble than Novak, so using this criteria, you should rank Djoko in the middle above Federer in terms of likeability, but you don't.

I have some thoughts as to why people don't like Novak on the whole, and they do not reflect well on the human species. It's always tricky in arguments like this, because everyone is entitled to their opinion and it's mainly all in good fun, so people don't like to be challenged or feel like they should be told who to like or not. But I do think there are some unpleasant reasons that contribute to why some people seem to have a visceral distaste for ND.

I didn't really like Federer until 2010-ish though for the same reasons. As arrogant as he was, he never told a paying crowd to suck him off or ripped his shirt like Hulk Hogan, or celebrated in front of Nadal's hotel shirtless after a win, or cupped his ear to crowds that don't like him while sarcastically asking for applause.... those are the kind of things that push Novak past the likeability line. Who would I rather hang out with? Novak.

Deleted member 716271 · Oct 5, 2016

MichaelNadal said:
I didn't really like Federer until 2010-ish though for the same reasons. As arrogant as he was, he never told a paying crowd to suck him off or ripped his shirt like Hulk Hogan, or celebrated in front of Nadal's hotel shirtless after a win, or cupped his ear to crowds that don't like him while sarcastically asking for applause.... those are the kind of things that push Novak past the likeability line. Who would I rather hang out with? Novak.

That's true about Novak ...I just personally view it as more genuine to be a good loser/"bad" winner than vice versa. To me, someone's true graciousness comes out when they've lost.

MichaelNadal · Oct 5, 2016

125downthemiddle said:
That's true about Novak ...I just personally view it as more genuine to be a good loser/"bad" winner than vice versa. To me, someone's true graciousness comes out when they've lost.

Every person is different, I think plenty of genuine good winners exist. Novak is just a terrible one. He is certainly good in defeat though which is impressive, but it's kinda nullified by the way he acted when he won. Since 2014 though he's calmed down a ton with all that mess, and that's why I really don't have a problem with him now, just ready for other people to step up and make tennis interesting again.

Bukmeikara · Oct 5, 2016

I believe people like Nadal more because:
1. He was a direct underdog to someone like Federer for a long period of time and people tend to cheer for outsiders, so probably it came naturaly that they became fond of him.
2. Djokovic broke the hegemony of the two most beloved players ever. Their fans may not hate him about it but would never like him either especially when Nadal/Federer still being active and often playing with Novak.
3. Nadal is hispanic and their population is just enourmous. Djokovic is coming from a small country/region and doesn't have that kind of headstart.
4. Nadal is probably more aesthetic for womens.

Deleted member 716271 · Oct 5, 2016

MichaelNadal said:
Every person is different, I think plenty of genuine good winners exist. Novak is just a terrible one. He is certainly good in defeat though which is impressive, but it's kinda nullified by the way he acted when he won. Since 2014 though he's calmed down a ton with all that mess, and that's why I really don't have a problem with him now, just ready for other people to step up and make tennis interesting again.

What was the worst Djoko celebration for you? I remember Rafa was pissed after 2011 Madrid boisterous celebration. Vaijda shirtless shaking it on the car

Deleted member 716271 · Oct 5, 2016

Bukmeikara said:
I believe people like Nadal more because:
1. He was a direct underdog to someone like Federer for a long period of time and people tend to cheer for outsiders, so probably it came naturaly that they became fond of him.
2. Djokovic broke the hegemony of the two most beloved players ever. Their fans may not hate him about it but would never like him either especially when Nadal/Federer still being active and often playing with Novak.
3. Nadal is hispanic and their population is just enourmous. Djokovic is coming from a small country/region and doesn't have that kind of headstart.
4. Nadal is probably more aesthetic for the womens.

I don't think so, but I'm not a woman

clayqueen · Oct 5, 2016

TheFifthSet said:
You're imagining things. Federer won the fan favourite award in 2003, before he started racking up endorsements and getting marketed heavily.

That may be so, but is it possible that he has actually been voted the fans' favourite for 12 years on the trot. Come on! Rafa always leads on social media by a mile in every tournament where it is measured and is, evidently, immensely popular all around the world. For the first time, yesterday, Moon Court had to be cordoned off to keep fans out during his doubles match. You'd think that he may have been voted fans' favourite just once since he turned pro.

The fact is, the Fans' Favourite Award is sponsored by Moet & Chandon who Sponsor Federer so it's a marketing exercise. Simple as that. As for the Stefan Edberg Award, don't get me started on that. Federer has won that since Adam was a boy except for 2010 when Rafa won it. Why? Because Federer is the only sitting nomination of 3 or 4 on the ballot paper put to the players every year. It's a joke. In 2014 Cilic, who had served a suspension for doping, was nominated along with Federer, of course, plus Dimitrov and Nishikori. It's not rocket science what is going on here.

TheFifthSet · Oct 6, 2016

clayqueen said:
That may be so, but is it possible that he has actually been voted the fans' favourite for 12 years on the trot. Come on! Rafa always leads on social media by a mile in every tournament where it is measured and is, evidently, immensely popular all around the world. For the first time, yesterday, Moon Court had to be cordoned off to keep fans out during his doubles match. You'd think that he may have been voted fans' favourite just once since he turned pro.

The fact is, the Fans' Favourite Award is sponsored by Moet & Chandon who Sponsor Federer so it's a marketing exercise. Simple as that. As for the Stefan Edberg Award, don't get me started on that. Federer has won that since Adam was a boy except for 2010 when Rafa won it. Why? Because Federer is the only sitting nomination of 3 or 4 on the ballot paper put to the players every year. It's a joke. In 2014 Cilic, who had served a suspension for doping, was nominated along with Federer, of course, plus Dimitrov and Nishikori. It's not rocket science what is going on here.

Only loosely related to the post I made.

MichaelNadal · Oct 6, 2016

125downthemiddle said:
What was the worst Djoko celebration for you? I remember Rafa was pissed after 2011 Madrid boisterous celebration. Vaijda shirtless shaking it on the car

Probably Madrid there yeah. On court and after. It was like um, how many times did Nadal beat that ass in big matches, and did he ever act like a buffoon after? I just didn't understand the need to act like a ******. You finally beat Rafa on clay after 5 years, want a cookie?

I also don't like the "better than me, my ass!" comment to Murray's face.

clayqueen · Oct 6, 2016

TheFifthSet said:
You're imagining things. Federer won the fan favourite award in 2003, before he started racking up endorsements and getting marketed heavily.

So on the basis of being voted the fans' favourite in 2003 he's racked up endless endorsements? Can you not see that the fans' favourite award is a marketing tool?

clayqueen · Oct 6, 2016

Djokovic pretends to be a good loser but, in my opinion, it's at odds with his outbursts during a match when things are not going his way by smashing racquets, furniture etc. If he feels that annoyed about losing a point how can he suddenly be so magnanimous when he loses the match. It doesn't add up.

*Sparkle* · Oct 6, 2016

Accepting sponsorship means that the sponsors will promote you, as well as their product. Obviously, you need a certain amount of popularity to get the sponsorship, but once you have certain sponsors, and you are prepared to play their game, it shapes and boosts your image. Those sponsors will place adverts, and expect newspapers and magazines to run flattering features on their stars etc.

clayqueen · Oct 6, 2016

*Sparkle* said:
Accepting sponsorship means that the sponsors will promote you, as well as their product. Obviously, you need a certain amount of popularity to get the sponsorship, but once you have certain sponsors, and you are prepared to play their game, it shapes and boosts your image. Those sponsors will place adverts, and expect newspapers and magazines to run flattering features on their stars etc.

And fake popularity awards. KIA should have started their own popularity award and make Rafa the winner every year or any other sponsor should do the same for their player. It's a farce.

TheFifthSet · Oct 6, 2016

clayqueen said:
So on the basis of being voted the fans' favourite in 2003 he's racked endless endorsements? Can you not see that the fans' favourite award is a marketing tool?

If you want to insinuate that it's rigged in some way, that's fine. But your hawt taek won't be taken seriously without proof.

Bears repeating that Federer won his first FFW before he became the media darling + endorsement machine that he is today.

clayqueen · Oct 6, 2016

TheFifthSet said:
If you want to insinuate that it's rigged in some way, that's fine. But your hawt taek won't be taken seriously without proof.

Bears repeating that Federer won his first FFW before he became the media darling + endorsement machine that he is today.

But Federer was head and shoulders above his peers because he was unbeatable by the likes of Hewitt, Henman, Roddick and Ljubucic so he was king of all he surveyed and was crowned the GOAT. However, when Nadal came along and brought Fed's invincibility into question and later Djokovic and Murray, the establishment didn't want to eat their words so they have continued to put Fed back on the pedestal that he fell off years ago.

TheFifthSet · Oct 6, 2016

clayqueen said:
Djokovic pretends to be a good loser but, in my opinion, it's at odds with his outbursts during a match when things are not going his way by smashing racquets, furniture etc. If he feels that annoyed about losing a point how can he suddenly be so magnanimous when he loses the match. It doesn't add up.

I've got news for you, they all pretend to be 'good losers'. All of them are upset in the immediate aftermath of a loss. Which makes being able to graciously congratulate your opponent all the more difficult. Djokovic shouldn't get flak for being good at that, it makes him a good sportsman. If it were Nadal you'd be extolling him.

clayqueen · Oct 6, 2016

TheFifthSet said:
If you want to insinuate that it's rigged in some way, that's fine. But your hawt taek won't be taken seriously without proof.

Bears repeating that Federer won his first FFW before he became the media darling + endorsement machine that he is today.

It is true that Federer is the only one nominated by the ATP for the sportsmanship award every year, is it not? It is true that Moet & Chandon sponsor the fans' favourite award as well as Federer, is it not?

clayqueen · Oct 6, 2016

TheFifthSet said:
I got news for you, they all pretend to be 'good losers'. All of them are upset in the immediate aftermath of a loss. Which makes being able to graciously congratulate your opponent all the more difficult. Djokovic shouldn't get flak for being good at that, it makes him a good sportsman. If it were Nadal you'd be extolling him.

It's fake. Federer, Nadal and Murray look visibly upset when they lose it's natural.

Bartelby · Oct 6, 2016

Young men admire Nadal's athleticism, older women think he is cute and he 'turns on' gay guys.

Djokovic has an ethnic fan base with little crossover appeal.

clayqueen · Oct 6, 2016

Bartelby said:
Young men admire Nadal's athleticism, older women think he is cute and he 'turns on' gay guys.

Which category do you fall into?

MichaelNadal · Oct 6, 2016

Bartelby said:
Young men admire Nadal's athleticism, older women think he is cute and he 'turns on' gay guys.

Djokovic has an ethnic fan base with little crossover appeal.

Clearly you'd know better than anyone, considering I'm gay and I don't find him attractive at all.

Bartelby · Oct 6, 2016

One man turning on the universe of gay guys is a bit improbable.

MichaelNadal said:
Clearly you'd know better than anyone, considering I'm gay and I don't find him attractive at all.

MichaelNadal · Oct 6, 2016

Bartelby said:
One man turning on the universe of gay guys is a bit improbable.

Like I said, clearly you know exactly what they want and like, so by your lead.

TheFifthSet · Oct 6, 2016

clayqueen said:
But Federer was head and shoulders above his peers because he was unbeatable by the likes of Hewitt, Henman, Roddick and Ljubucic so he was king of all he surveyed and was crowned the GOAT. However, when Nadal came along and brought Fed's invincibility into question and later Djokovic and Murray, the establishment didn't want to eat their words so they have continued to put Fed back on the pedestal that he fell off years ago.

I like my conspiracy theories to be well-crafted.

TheFifthSet · Oct 6, 2016

clayqueen said:
It is true that Federer is the only one nominated by the ATP for the sportsmanship award every year, is it not? It is true that Moet & Chandon sponsor the fans' favourite award as well as Federer, is it not?

Did I utter a single world about the sportsmanship award in my OP? I'm not in the know about it. If there really are only 3-4 yearly candidates for that award, feel free to shoot me a link.

Like I said, your replies to my posts are only loosely related to the posts in question, at best.

Bartelby · Oct 6, 2016

Nadal's fans always construct themselves as under attack. It's a part of the pathology.

TheFifthSet · Oct 6, 2016

clayqueen said:
It's fake. Federer, Nadal and Murray look visibly upset when they lose it's natural.

Are you being purposely obtuse, or...? Maybe I'm being rash, but that's the impression I'm getting.

Yes, by your definition, it's fake. This was already covered.

It's interesting the lengths you'll stoop to. Being gracious in defeat is a mark against somebody, to you, because on the inside they feel crummy about losing. I guess nobody can ever be classy in defeat, since every single tennis player feels like hot garbage after they lose.

Bartelby · Oct 6, 2016

And yet you do seem to be in thrall to him.

MichaelNadal said:
Clearly you'd know better than anyone, considering I'm gay and I don't find him attractive at all.

MichaelNadal · Oct 6, 2016

Bartelby said:
And yet you do seem to be in thrall to him.

The only conclusion that can be drawn, is that you repeatedly make incorrect inferences, owed to your distorted sense of self-awareness over things you know nothing about.

Bartelby · Oct 6, 2016

Thank you, Dr. Spock.

TheFifthSet · Oct 6, 2016

Bartelby said:
And yet you do seem to be in thrall to him.

Oh for crying out loud man, really?

MichaelNadal · Oct 6, 2016

Bartelby said:
Thank you, Dr. Spock.

Bartelby · Oct 6, 2016

What, indeed, are we crying out loud about?

TheFifthSet said:
Oh for crying out loud man, really?

clayqueen · Oct 6, 2016

The one name that is always on the list of nominees is Federer even in the year that he was fined for swearing at the umpire. These are just examples of the rigged system.

Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award
According to the ATP, this award is given to "the player who, throughout the year, conducted himself at the highest level of professionalism and integrity, who competed with his fellow players with the utmost spirit of fairness and who promoted the game through his off-court activities."
In 2011, the nominees are Djokovic, Federer (won it for 6 straight years - 2004-2009), Nadal (won in 2010)

Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship

The nominees for 2013 are Del Potro, Federer, Ferrer and Nadal ...... Who would you give the Stefan Edberg sportsmanship award too? hawkeye: Posts : ... 2007 - James Blake, Roger Federer, Carlos Moya, Jarkko Nieminen

Roger Federer: Fellow players voted the Swiss as the winner of the Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award for the 11th time and fifth year in a row. He also won the award six straight years from 2004-09. Rafael Nadal, David Ferrer and Kevin Anderson were also nominated in this category.

_________________________________
Who is the moderator of the voting? I don't trust the system at all.

Incognito · Oct 6, 2016

Because aside from Federer, only Rafa can produce a forehand shot like this on the run on a low ball:

clayqueen · Oct 6, 2016

Andrew Benton ‏(a Photographer): "Never seen before - cordon at Moon Court entrance where it was Rafael Nadal & Carreno Busta v Mao-Xin Gong & Ze Zhang at China Open:" https://twitter.com/thangnangman/status/783740925184835584/photo/1

Nadal is the true fans' favourite.

clayqueen · Oct 6, 2016

Just deleted a duplicated post.

clayqueen · Oct 6, 2016

Andrew Benton ‏(a Photographer): "Never seen before - cordon at Moon Court entrance where it was Rafael Nadal & Carreno Busta v Mao-Xin Gong & Ze Zhang at China Open:" https://twitter.com/thangnangman/status/783740925184835584/photo/1

This was a doubles match and there was a half empty center court where a singles match was taking place.
Nadal is the true fans' favourite.

Why is nadal so much more popular than Djokovic?

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