Djokovic: "My Mistakes Are Less Forgiven"

NoleFam said:
Yea I hate this PC stuff in tennis. Bring back the days of Mac/Nastase/Connors when people said what they really felt. Heck, even in Sampras/Agassi days they did that. Now it's all let's hold hands and pretend we like each other, look perfect for the camera, say what everybody wants to hear, etc.
Click to expand...

I'm sure Nastase fans weren't clamoring for why their poor little villian boy doesn't get the same media and crowd love like Borg.

That's the difference.

You don't want PC, but only for when how your player can behave but everyone else must be PC and give him love back.

Why doesn't the world have freedom to say phuckhyou back to him?
 
As so often, the truth is somewhere in the middle.

Yes, the western media are biased against him, heavily. Yes, they worship their yuppie hero...

But, Djokovic invites controversy very readily, usually a result of his inferiority complex, him almost begging the public to like him.

If he had assumed the Lendl attitude (which is I don't give a damn about the public or the media) he would have been far better off - and ironically he would have gained a lot more converts. Many fans respected Lendl for his refusal to bow down to the media's idiotic notions of how a champ should look and behave.

In fact, the best thing about Lendl was his Clint Eastwood-like demenour. He had too much pride to be a sycophant. Unfortunately, Djokovic has been increasingly sycophantic in recent years, trying to adapt, not realizing that he is fighting an uphill battle, that the media don't want him to be liked....
 
Last edited:
Contrary to popular belief Novak is actually an introvert, albeit one who likes to play the opposite, and as such he does catch more flack than his more personable peers*. I don't mind, though. In fact that's what endeared him to moi in the first place.

*I continue to maintain that's also why Hillary was/is perceived as unlikable which, perhaps more than anything else, cost her the 2016 election.
 
mike danny said:
No, I don't believe Djokovic is like Kyrgios inch for inch. Just in his approach of being sincere rather than being PC.

Kyrgios is a knobhead who wants attention because his tennis can't do the talking. Why would Djokovic want attention when he is one of the greatest players to ever live?
Click to expand...

Because he doesn't get as much love as the other 2 of the Big 3. Simple.

He and people like yourself just can't accept that it could be because of his own actions.
 
GhostOfNKDM said:
Because he doesn't get as much love as the other 2 of the Big 3. Simple.

He and people like yourself just can't accept that it could be because of his own actions.
Click to expand...
I do think Djokovic has done some stuff that warrants criticism. So I'm not denying that his actions have influenced the way people perceive him.

I do think he gets more hate than he should though.
 
Krish872007 said:
One more thread with input from the man himself. Thoughts?
My view - a great champion and ambassador for the sport. A truly dominant force who has been, at times, quite severely maligned by the media and an uncompromising spectator base.

www.eurosport.co.uk

'My mistakes are less forgiven' - Djokovic claims unfair treatment

Novak Djokovic has said that he feels his mistakes are not forgiven as easily as with other players, when asked about his public perception and media treatment.
www.eurosport.co.uk www.eurosport.co.uk

Novak Djokovic has said that he feels his mistakes are not forgiven as easily as with other players, when asked about his public perception and media treatment.
The reigning champion secured his place in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open with his 300th Grand Slam win, despite coming into the match with Milos Raonic with major injury doubts.
In the process of sealing victory, the top seed set up a mouthwatering quarter-final clash against sixth seed Alexander Zverev, who continued his fine form so far in the tournament with a fine win over Dusan Lajovic.
Djokovic's injury has sparked rampant debate, with top coach Patrick Mouratoglou suggesting that he has a history of 'pretending to give up' in matches, and he was asked about perceptions of his behaviour after his third-round match.
The Serb said he does feel as though he is treated differently to other top players and was candid in explaining his feelings to Tennis Majors on his public perception. Djokovic has also come under fire over the past 12 months for issues like the Adria Tour.
"Nobody in the media can break my spirit, for my connection with my own soul and consciousness is deeper than any news that is written about me and any sort of public criticism," Djokovic said.
"I know who I am, what I am, where I am, where I’ve been and where I’m going – I proudly point all that out.
"I AM ABLE TO BE GRATEFUL, I AM ABLE TO PUT MY HANDS UP AND APOLOGISE WHEN I HAVE MADE A MISTAKE, BUT YES, MY MISTAKES ARE PERHAPS LESS FORGIVEN IN THE PUBLIC IN COMPARISON TO OTHER PLAYERS AND SPORTS STARS."
"Truthfully, I have mostly made peace with it. I cannot say that it doesn’t sometimes get to me – of course an injustice or an unfair portrayal by the media affects me.
"I am a human being, I have emotions and naturally I don’t enjoy it. I would sincerely like to have a good relationship with them, but it seems that this is not always possible.
"I do my best to focus on the positive things and the positive articles."
Click to expand...
Cue the sad violins ..
 
NonP said:
Contrary to popular belief Novak is actually an introvert, albeit one who likes to play the opposite, and as such he does catch more flack than his more personable peers*. I don't mind, though. In fact that's what endeared him to moi in the first place.

*I continue to maintain that's also why Hillary was/is perceived as unlikable which, perhaps more than anything else, cost her the 2016 election.
Click to expand...
An introvert?

I believe we are discussing different Novaks here. Maybe you're referring to the Czech Novak?
 
mike danny said:
I do think Djokovic has done some stuff that warrants criticism. So I'm not denying that his actions have influenced the way people perceive him.

I do think he gets more hate than he should though.
Click to expand...

Shouldn't people who dislike PC be all for not policing such stuff.

It's a open marketplace of popularity, ideas, image. Let the man get what he can get.
 
Red Rick said:
I was wrong. It wasn't in in face.

But because it's Federer, the boy decided it was the best moment in his life

Click to expand...

Sorry but this incident is not comparable to Djokovic one. Linesman are not supposed to handle the ball and hence they dont expect someone sending a ball towards them from a close range. Djokovic made a mistake there and once it was done there was no other outcome but suspension.

OTOH Federer sent the ball towards someone whose job is to be picking up the ball. We have seen several players to do the same where they strike the ball towards the ball boys/girls to speed up things. Only thing with Federer was that he played a behind the back kind of a shot that probably threw off the ball kid as he didnt see it coming.
 
With Djokovic there are 2 major issues:

1) Beating Federer/Nadal and being close to uncontested GOAT title. In my opinion he is already GOAT, but when he gets to slam record there will be no dispute about that as his achievements are so balanced.

2) PTPA. This interferes with many interests and all dirt from all possible sources is thrown at him.
 
GhostOfNKDM said:
I'm sure Nastase fans weren't clamoring for why their poor little villian boy doesn't get the same media and crowd love like Borg.

That's the difference.

You don't want PC, but only for when how your player can behave but everyone else must be PC and give him love back.

Why doesn't the world have freedom to say phuckhyou back to him?
Click to expand...

I'm saying that that's what the media and establishment wants and that's what the players today, at least the top players, mostly are doing. Pointing out the difference and biases doesn't equate to someone clamoring for something. When has media treatment or lopsided crowd support stopped him from winning?

I never said anything about anyone giving him love back. A little respect and refraining from writing bs articles in the press would be nice though.

You do have the freedom and he has the freedom to keep doing what he's doing that rubs you the wrong way.
 
Beckerserve said:
I am sure Djokovic said he loves the crowd supporting him more than Rafa. Unless i am mixing up with Rome?
Click to expand...

Probably Rome where Novak is quite popular himself. At RG, he doesn't get the same support against Nadal. I also used to think Novak had good support at Melbourne. This year seems different for him.
 
Thriller said:
They followed the rules to the letter. Can you point to an occasion where a player has struck an official in irritation / anger and not been disqualified?
Click to expand...
It was obvious, even to a Fed fan like me, that his intention was not to hit the lineswoman. In that instance, he could have been penalized a point/a game for unsportsmanlike conduct with DQing him. I think it was a crap move by the USO.
 
mike danny said:
No, I don't believe Djokovic is like Kyrgios inch for inch. Just in his approach of being sincere rather than being PC.

Kyrgios is a knobhead who wants attention because his tennis can't do the talking. Why would Djokovic want attention when he is one of the greatest players to ever live?
Click to expand...

I think he just wants to be loved in the same way of Nadal/Federer. Problem ain't his game but there is something in his personality that most don't admire. He should accept it and move on. In the end nobody gonna take away his records.
 
GhostOfNKDM said:
Shouldn't people who dislike PC be all for not policing such stuff.

It's a open marketplace of popularity, ideas, image. Let the man get what he can get.
Click to expand...

You need to get with the program here... the people that are complaining about "cancel culture" are the same people that once canceled french fries...
 
GhostOfNKDM said:
Shouldn't people who dislike PC be all for not policing such stuff.

It's a open marketplace of popularity, ideas, image. Let the man get what he can get.
Click to expand...
Is it?

Not with a biased media it isn't. The media helps form opinions of most people. Your argument is hence deeply flawed because the PC crowd dominates the media hence public perception of players.
 
NoleFam said:
I'm saying that that's what the media and establishment wants and that's what the players today, at least the top players, mostly are doing. Pointing out the difference and biases doesn't equate to someone clamoring for something. When has media treatment or lopsided crowd support stopped him from winning?

I never said anything about anyone giving him love back. A little respect and refraining from writing bs articles in the press would be nice though.

You do have the freedom and he has the freedom to keep doing what he's doing that rubs you the wrong way.
Click to expand...

If winning is all you care about then what is the problem?

Seems like you guys want it both ways. Whine that he doesn't get treated fairly, but when it's pointed out that there is a reason for it and he's responsible for it- then backtrack and say that it won't stop him from winning
 
UnderratedSlam said:
Is it?

Not with a biased media it isn't. The media helps form opinions of most people. Your argument is hence deeply flawed because the PC crowd dominates the media hence public perception of players.
Click to expand...

That's like Trump complaining he doesn't get good press because all media news is fake, yet his own actions should have nothing to do with how he is perceived.
 
GhostOfNKDM said:
That's like Trump complaining he doesn't get good press because all media news is fake, yet his own actions should have nothing to do with how he is perceived.
Click to expand...
Spoken like a true bidenista.

Very ironic that, you proving my point about media manipulation by being manipulated by the PC crowd...

You must learn the art of reading between the lines. There are many lies floating about. The easiest way is always to believe everything you hear because "that's what I hear the most hence it must be true and I'm too lazy to be critical and analytical anyway"...
 
GhostOfNKDM said:
If winning is all you care about then what is the problem?

Seems like you guys want it both ways. Whine that he doesn't get treated fairly, but when it's pointed out that there is a reason for it and he's responsible for it- then backtrack and say that it won't stop him from winning
Click to expand...

Winning is what I care about the most but if you don't see the problem here then I don't know what to tell you.

There isn't a reason though. Adria Tour was a cause for criticism but this was going on long before that. Writing articles about him being an adulterer during Wimbledon comes to mind, speculating on the state of his marriage, etc. That's crossing a clear red line. You don't like him and don't like me pointing out the biases here which you seem to be completely blind to.
 
I noticed that he didn't do the chest beating and boob throw after beating Raonic with Kyrgios mocking him. I think Kyrgios is wrong mimicking him but he should understand as he used to take the mick out of other players regularly.
 
I think the two main factors at play here are:

1) He was the guy who officially put an end to the two-man party of Fedal, and stuck a knife into their tens of millions of fans in the process in many different instances. From a human psychology perspective it's often VERY hard to like the person who does that to your hero, and more often than not the result will be the opposite.

2) Being Eastern European and coming from a place that has a negative history to it in relation to the rest of the west, there seems to be a pre-existing, natural hostility towards him(and at times maybe from himself too towards us). Subconscious or not. Hard to tell, but my pick would be the former.


Obviously his behavior at times can be flat out repulsive. But it's hard for us to truly relate to how badly he has been treated over the years and how his psychology has responded to it. I have a friend who happens to have some connections to his team. And some of the stuff he told me about Novak being exposed to from all kinds of people is downright shocking. Can only say after hearing it my respect for him grew immensely.
 
Nole_King said:
Sorry but this incident is not comparable to Djokovic one. Linesman are not supposed to handle the ball and hence they dont expect someone sending a ball towards them from a close range. Djokovic made a mistake there and once it was done there was no other outcome but suspension.

OTOH Federer sent the ball towards someone whose job is to be picking up the ball. We have seen several players to do the same where they strike the ball towards the ball boys/girls to speed up things. Only thing with Federer was that he played a behind the back kind of a shot that probably threw off the ball kid as he didnt see it coming.
Click to expand...
 
GhostOfNKDM said:
You know, I've never understood this 'darlings of the media' and 'establishment favorite' monikers - as if there was some secret cabal meeting called to crown these men the company men and give them favors and privileges not reserved for others.

Why can't people simply see that both players EARNED that consideration from disparate groups (reporters, tournaments, ATP/ITF etc) by representing the sport well - by competing fiercely without letting their competitive juices get out of hand, respecting audiences even when they weren't popular (yes, people forget Fed was the villian when beating Agassi), behaving well in press conferences and taking their obligations to the tournaments/sponsors/future players seriously. Never getting personal about their rivalries and especially not letting relatives spew stuff in the media.

They never acted *grumpy* and *entitled* when at the beginning they weren't as popular or were in the shadow of established figures.

Novak CHOOSES to be a villian, a crowd-pleaser who can't take it if the crowd doesn't support him and mocks them.
Novak CAN'T HELP his competitive persona spill out in unflattering ways - from his outbursts, racket smashing, arguing with umps, to off-court comments from his entourage about opponents
Novak DESIRES power, attention and acts entitled to a love yet won't likes to resort to VICTIMHOOD anytime he doesn't get it based on his own behaviors
Even his 'selfless' acts are always designed to show himself in the SAVIOR role which is more for public consumption than private charity.
Click to expand...

Hmm, I disagree.
(And take this as the opinion of someone who isn't a diehard fan of either one of these players; I much prefer previous generations of tennis players).

This is a lot more about situation and context than personalities.
All three players, if we could imagine them in a vacuum, have all the necessary skills to be seen as respectful, gracious, diplomatic, somewhat sportsmanlike (even though all of them have, on occasion, shown lack of sportsmanship), decent enough people.

But they don't exist in a vacuum, there is context: Federer came first, Nadal second (and both built a whole narrative of rivalry and opposed styles that was extremely profitable for the sport as a whole), and Djokovic last, ruining the duopoly (we tend to only understand rivalry as a duel) and having to, as an outsider (his nationality is not a neutral category here; certainly not as "neutral" - and therefore implicitly good - as having a Swiss passport), carve out his career against this duopoly, that was not only a duopoly of tennis domination, but chiefly a monopoly that defined media narratives, fandom, publicity, everything. And this is very different from a stylish Federer beating an over-the-hill Agassi, who was always controversial himself, and never captured the (almost) totality of tennis fans' adoration as the Federer-Nadal rivalry did.

Djokovic also played a different style, almost a merger between those two, that didn't fit in nicely with the Maestro vs. Bull narrative that most tennis fans had grown accustomed to, and which made many them - naturally - reactionary or conservative at the prospect of change at the top of the men's game.

Personalities are also affected by situation/context, but situation/context isn't generally changed by personality (unless we're talking about people like Kyrgios, who has changed the way "tennis star" is defined by having a lacklustre career compared to the amount of coverage he gets). What I mean is that if you take Federer or Nadal, make them the "third wheel", attribute an ex-iron curtain, maligned and war-ravaged country nationality to them, you probably won't get someone that reacts much better or worse than Djokovic to the situation he's in. And if you pick Djokovic, even with his worse instincts, and put him in Federer's or Nadal's situation, I don't think he would've been much better or much worse than the Swiss and the Spaniard in the very favourable context and conditions they have occupied in tennis history. We all know it's easy to be gracious and magnanimous when the public already has a predisposition to praise you.

As I said, with Djokovic it's a dialectic relationship between i) a justifiable third wheel sentiment and ii) a less justifiable victimhood. Paradoxically, it's what makes him great too.

Just my two cents.
 
mike danny said:
I do think he should move on. Lendl wasn't liked and he didn't give a sh*t.
Click to expand...

I actually think it bothered him more than he let on. Lendl was certainly more cheerful early on when he was just rising through the ranks. I think matches like 1982-83 USO finals, and the uncharitable way American media and crowds treated him, made Lendl the tough and bitter self we know. Of course, he projected more of the phuck-you tough guy airs and less of the whiny woe-is-me attitude in comparison to Djovak, but whining would still come to the forefront sometimes when he struggled in unfavourable conditions (grass). "I'm having a hard enough time already, why would you make it even more difficult for me? Oh God it's unbelevable..."
 
AnOctorokForDinner said:
I actually think it bothered him more than he let on. Lendl was certainly more cheerful early on when he was just rising through the ranks. I think matches like 1982-83 USO finals, and the uncharitable way American media and crowds treated him, made Lendl the tough and bitter self we know. Of course, he projected more of the phuck-you tough guy airs and less of the whiny woe-is-me attitude in comparison to Djovak, but whining would still come to the forefront sometimes when he struggled in unfavourable conditions (grass). "I'm having a hard enough time already, why would you make it even more difficult for me? Oh God it's unbelevable..."
Click to expand...

How much of that do you think has to do with his dismal record in Slam finals, 8-11, or do you consider them unrelated? I didn't really see him play or watch his era so I don't know.
 
AnOctorokForDinner said:
I actually think it bothered him more than he let on. Lendl was certainly more cheerful early on when he was just rising through the ranks. I think matches like 1982-83 USO finals, and the uncharitable way American media and crowds treated him, made Lendl the tough and bitter self we know. Of course, he projected more of the phuck-you tough guy airs and less of the whiny woe-is-me attitude in comparison to Djovak, but whining would still come to the forefront sometimes when he struggled in unfavourable conditions (grass). "I'm having a hard enough time already, why would you make it even more difficult for me? Oh God it's unbelevable..."
Click to expand...

It seems you forgot how whiny Lendl was.
 
ScentOfDefeat said:
Hmm, I disagree.
(And take this as the opinion of someone who isn't a diehard fan of either one of these players; I much prefer previous generations of tennis players).

This is a lot more about situation and context than personalities.
All three players, if we could imagine them in a vacuum, have all the necessary skills to be seen as respectful, gracious, diplomatic, somewhat sportsmanlike (even though all of them have, on occasion, shown lack of sportsmanship), decent enough people.

But they don't exist in a vacuum, there is context: Federer came first, Nadal second (and both built a whole narrative of rivalry and opposed styles that was extremely profitable for the sport as a whole), and Djokovic last, ruining the duopoly (we tend to only understand rivalry as a duel) and having to, as an outsider (his nationality is not a neutral category here; certainly not as "neutral" - and therefore implicitly good - as having a Swiss passport), carve out his career against this duopoly, that was not only a duopoly of tennis domination, but chiefly a monopoly that defined media narratives, fandom, publicity, everything. And this is very different from a stylish Federer beating an over-the-hill Agassi, who was always controversial himself, and never captured the (almost) totality of tennis fans' adoration as the Federer-Nadal rivalry did.

Djokovic also played a different style, almost a merger between those two, that didn't fit in nicely with the Maestro vs. Bull narrative that most tennis fans had grown accustomed to, and which made many them - naturally - reactionary or conservative at the prospect of change at the top of the men's game.

Personalities are also affected by situation/context, but situation/context isn't generally changed by personality (unless we're talking about people like Kyrgios, who has changed the way "tennis star" is defined by having a lacklustre career compared to the amount of coverage he gets). What I mean is that if you take Federer or Nadal, make them the "third wheel", attribute an ex-iron curtain, maligned and war-ravaged country nationality to them, you probably won't get someone that reacts much better or worse than Djokovic to the situation he's in. And if you pick Djokovic, even with his worse instincts, and put him in Federer's or Nadal's situation, I don't think he would've been much better or much worse than the Swiss and the Spaniard in the very favourable context and conditions they have occupied in tennis history. We all know it's easy to be gracious and magnanimous when the public already has a predisposition to praise you.

As I said, with Djokovic it's a dialectic relationship between i) a justifiable third wheel sentiment and ii) a less justifiable victimhood. Paradoxically, it's what makes him great too.

Just my two cents.
Click to expand...
With all that said, his mannerisms on court especially the worst ones haven't added to his reputation. Federer and Nadal don't have such mannerisms and that's why they are more liked. What we are seeing in Djokovic is a self fulfilling prophecy. I also suspect in addition to the PTPA, his stance on novaxx has further alienated to the viewers and also demonized by the mainstream media as a villain.
To me, I'm with Novac on novaxx :giggle: I hope he doesn't rescind his stance. I'm of the view that either the virus doesnt exist or its blown out of proportion by those in power to restrict travel, lockdown people in their own homes and implement draconian laws
 
McEnroe was treated worse than Djokovic. He was nicknamed SuperBrat and every time he kicked off it would be on the front page of every newspaper. Wimbledon did not even invite him to be a member of the AELTC when he won the title, an invitation that is extended to all Wimbledon Champions automatically. It was when McEnroe became a commentator that they finally made him a member.

On the other hand, McEnroe was one of the biggest box office tennis stars at the time. He had a cult fan base and people would go to any lengths to watch him play. Wimbledon used to fret when McEnroe wasn't in the draw because he was a star attraction.
 
Forehanderer said:
With all that said, his mannerisms on court especially the worst ones haven't added to his reputation. Federer and Nadal don't have such mannerisms and that's why they are more liked. What we are seeing in Djokovic is a self fulfilling prophecy. I also suspect in addition to the PTPA, his stance on novaxx has further alienated to the viewers and also demonized by the mainstream media as a villain.
To me, I'm with Novac on novaxx :giggle: I hope he doesn't rescind his stance. I'm of the view that either the virus doesnt exist or its blown out of proportion by those in power to restrict travel, lockdown people in their own homes and implement draconian laws
Click to expand...

Not sure how I missed this covidiot... off to ignore you go!
 
Last edited:
clayqueen said:
McEnroe was treated worse than Djokovic. He was nicknamed SuperBrat and every time he kicked off it would be on the front page of every newspaper. Wimbledon did not even invite him to be a member of the AELTC when he won the title, an invitation that is extended to all Wimbledon Champions automatically. It was when McEnroe became a commentator that they finally made him a member.

On the other hand, McEnroe was one of the biggest box office tennis stars at the time. He had a cult fan base and people would go to any lengths to watch him play. Wimbledon used to fret when McEnroe wasn't in the draw because he was a star attraction.
Click to expand...

This is so true! JMac being mistreated by media and fans took him to using drugs... or maybe it was the other way around...
 
Slowtwitcher said:
Not sure how I missed this covidiot... of to ignore you go!
Click to expand...
ooh you are so smart. taking vaxx that is not tested is how smart people react. I've heard some people dying after they took 2 shots of the vaxx. keep ignoring me and stop quoting me if you don't like my opinion
 
D.Nalby12 said:
Fedal fans are just too harsh on him. I think he was excessively punished at USO. They robbed him a golden opportunity to win another Slam. But Even after he that he expressed no displeasure. Still he was unfairly targeted by fans as if he deliberately hit that overacting Grandma. Put Federer in same position - I'm sure he would have protested if he was DQed for unintentional hit.
Click to expand...

Maybe. But then I rewatch that arrogant interview from 2016 and can't help but thinking 'winter was coming for him'.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

B
Tactical mistakes in ladies tennis
Replies
7
Views
1K
brolycjw
B
clayqueen
Djokovic documentary to detail his Australian Open recovery
2
Replies
99
Views
4K
GabeT
GabeT
every7
Djokovic Announces 2017 Return.
Replies
27
Views
2K
Fabresque
Fabresque
Headshotterer
Nadal to prove himself this year
2 3
Replies
113
Views
10K
vernonbc
vernonbc
S
stringing tolerates mistakes
Replies
12
Views
1K
PBODY99
PBODY99
Back
Top