Djokodalerer31
Hall of Fame
Lendl back in the day didn't have to battle it out against co-GOATS and still managed to lose more finals, than he won! (Most of the times in the clutch situations, where he should have obviously prevailed! For example that USO final against Wilander back in 1988, where he couldn't hold his nerve!) Most of the players were fellow ATGs yes, but none of them were double digit slam winners like Borg for example, who at the time still held grand slam tally record for an open era, so none of the were really chasing big records! On top of being unpopular and unlikable champion, he was also kind of a "loser" and was totally losing his cool in a pressure situations, when he had to play against the crowd, which most of the times cost him matches! Unlike Djokovic he wasn't able to block himself entirely from these distractions, so he wasn't as much of a mental monster! Meanwhile Djokovic has to face against two co-GOAT contenders, both of whom surpassed Sampras' tally record and has to do it for over a decade! What i am trying to say is that whilst i do agree, that is very likely, that as far as being "people's champion" goes he will always be comparable to Lendl in that specific department, but due to his impressive slam tally, competition and several other factors he is several heads ahead of Lendl in those particular departments! In that sense he will be remembered as more of a Sampras of this era, rather than Lendl! If Sampras had Lendl level of popularity and recognition with all his career resume - this is what Djokovic would be! Give it a few more years with prospect of Novak surpassing all sort of big records, set mostly by Federer and people will drop this whole "Djokovic is the Lendl of this era" nonsense! If it didn't convince someone yet, that Djokovic ISN'T Lendl of this era yet, just wait a couple more years...
