Djokovic is far more likeable than he was back then (pre 2015). I found him too cocky for my liking. The celebrations, the imitations, the "I can beat nadal on clay" (holy, how this has turned around)
But I have grown to be a big fan of him.
He's been through it all as a tennis player:
-Played tennis in war torn Serbia. Hid from missiles and bombs
-Went through a long period of injuries early in his career
-Sat as the defacto third wheel behind Fed and Nadal. He was Nadal's pigeon at that point.
-Had a year where he switched raquets and couldn't adjust at all. His serve was in particular, the weakest point of his game.
-Found out he had a gluten allergy
-Fixed his fitness and serve and stopped eating gluten in the 2011 off season
-Created one of the greatest seasons ever in 2011, against the hardest competition in a while
-Turned Nadal into his own pigeon
-Played in the longest GS final of all time
-Mental lapses and chokes between 2012-2014
-Achieved the greatest statistical season in 2015, perhaps of all time. Improved his serve, volley, and slice.
-After RG, lost motivation and love for the sport.
-Comes back in 2018 to win two slams.
Now considered a tennis god, by a lot of fans and pros.
He would have a great biography movie
He has my respect for maturing, finding happiness in his personal life, and being extremely humble/respectful.
Good role model too