mandy01
G.O.A.T.
It is. Many of the fans including myself are from developing states where US has meddled significantly. Still doesn't make Novak likeable. Or Nadal for that matter, but whatever. I guess people liked him coz he was beating Federer.
Interesting article on the popularity of Djokovic
- Thread starter RF20Lennon
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Elektra
Professional
Tennis is borderline nationalistic. The reason why people have a hard time with Novak is cause he does not fit in to their establishment. Tennis is in the same league was polo, golf and equestarian as being country club sports. Country club is ususally reserved for certain people who fit in a certain clique. Tennis for a long time has been a borderline elitist, prejudical sport. Tennis has come a long way since then, but their elitism is still there espcially among elite management and marketers. Federer is an incarnation of what they want every tennis player should be like, he has classical game, he is often very steady and he hails from a country that is neutral and never had wars. Eastern Europeans always had difficulty in crossing over to the western standards. Western Europeans have always looked at Eastern Europeans as "others" or " different".
But I think Novak unlikability is highly exxagerated, he is well liked but the problem is that he is battling a hypermarketing machine with Roger Federer. Federer always gets the best of everything, that includes, sponsors, promotion, networking opportunities, and also better people behind him. They still want to continue the hype that Federer is the best ever even though he dominated during the weakest era of men's tennis. I don't know who Novak's agent is but they are marketing him the wrong way, he is not meant to be like a Federer he can become his own niche. He appeals to more alpha males with his physical out of this world fitness and machine like mentality.
But I think Novak unlikability is highly exxagerated, he is well liked but the problem is that he is battling a hypermarketing machine with Roger Federer. Federer always gets the best of everything, that includes, sponsors, promotion, networking opportunities, and also better people behind him. They still want to continue the hype that Federer is the best ever even though he dominated during the weakest era of men's tennis. I don't know who Novak's agent is but they are marketing him the wrong way, he is not meant to be like a Federer he can become his own niche. He appeals to more alpha males with his physical out of this world fitness and machine like mentality.
junior74
Bionic Poster
He was the third man for so long. Federer and Nadal were/are so loved, it´s crazy. And when Novak became #1, I think it was natural for him to expect that same popularity. He is free to do whatever he wants, by all means, but I am quite sure he would be more popular if he just calmed down a little. He is a natural charming person when he is not overcooking the eggs.
Tennis fans are from all over the world and tennis players transcend nationality.
Tennis fans are from all over the world and tennis players transcend nationality.
Gary Duane
Talk Tennis Guru
Nailed it!The article says it all. There are too many dedicated Fed and Rafa fans out there who simply don't want their heroes' records to be overtaken by a guy they used to treat as the junior member of the trio. It's one thing to have your favourite player's records eventually overtaken by a future ATG but quite another to see it being done in front of your very eyes by a contemporary and while your favourite player is still active (at least officially).
Federer at least had the decency to wait until Sampras retired!
Gary Duane
Talk Tennis Guru
But one other thing: If Novak played SnV tennis, or a more aggressive style of tennis, I'd by on the band wagon right now, cheering. In fact, whenever he starts coming to the net, I get excited.
Some of us genuinely don't enjoy his style of tennis. I'm quite ready for as many people as possible to come along and replace Federer and Nadal now.
The guy who wrote this article has his tongue stuck so far up Fed's bum that it will be brown for decades after he pulls it out.
Some of us genuinely don't enjoy his style of tennis. I'm quite ready for as many people as possible to come along and replace Federer and Nadal now.
The guy who wrote this article has his tongue stuck so far up Fed's bum that it will be brown for decades after he pulls it out.
Luka888
Professional
Why do you even bother? Why is popularity so important to you? It is BS. We are talking about tennis on this board not about Lady Ga Ga, Madonna or Britney Spears. Who cares? I really don't understand what is wrong with some you people posting here.
Some of you have some serious personal issues.
Djokovic is popular. People like winners. It means nothing to me, but I dislike so many kids here who believe that somehow Roger and Rafa 'invented' tennis. Pure BS.
Urkezi
Semi-Pro
It's very simple:
-Nole is breaking records and threatening to overpass two of the greats in the last two decades and many people don't like it
-Even though he is a very fun guy, his tennis is incredibly boring as he actually wins by dragging other people's level down and feeds on errors
-His obsession to be loved by everybody (well documented) is working against him, as he tries to hard and it seems phony; so do his praises of other players he actually beats quite comfortably
And to answer the guy right above me - Nole cares, he cares like hell
-Nole is breaking records and threatening to overpass two of the greats in the last two decades and many people don't like it
-Even though he is a very fun guy, his tennis is incredibly boring as he actually wins by dragging other people's level down and feeds on errors
-His obsession to be loved by everybody (well documented) is working against him, as he tries to hard and it seems phony; so do his praises of other players he actually beats quite comfortably
And to answer the guy right above me - Nole cares, he cares like hell
tennisfan2015
Hall of Fame
On an unrelated subject, I have seen many GS in my lifetime. Mostly in Australia as it is just around the corner. However, I have joined this forum in 2015 even though I have initially followed it some years earlier without being an active participant. If I go by your statement it would mean I did not follow tennis until 2015! Have you followed tennis before 2007? If you have not, are you 16 years old?
Elessar
Rookie
The article is right on the money.
The biggest factor as to why Djokovic lags behind Federer and Nadal in terms of popularity is that he is simply late to the party.
Federer and Nadal have formed their fan bases before Djokovic entered the scene. Therefore, Djokovic was a nuisance in the eyes of those fans. Add to that the fact that Djokovic is now threatening their favorites' records, and you have your answer.
Everything else is just rationalization (for the vast majority of tennis fans).
You will even find that, if you go through some of the older threads of this tennis board, some of the biggest Djokovic "haters" were quite fond of him. For example, when he was protecting Roger's legacy by kicking Nadal's behind all around the world in 2011, Fed fans liked Djokovic quite a bit. The change started to happen in 2014. The 2014 Wimbledon final was the watershed moment when it comes to Fed fans (not all!) and their distaste for Djokovic.
Same with Nadal fans when Djokovic was losing to, but pushing Rafa in their early matches. Djokovic was "a good guy and a great tennis player", just unlucky that he was playing against Rafa. That all changed in 2011 obviously.
All the other reasons Djokovic critics list pale in comparison to the fact that Djokovic is the ultimate party crasher for the two biggest fanbases in tennis. In love, politics, or in tennis, there is no place for 3rd parties.
The biggest factor as to why Djokovic lags behind Federer and Nadal in terms of popularity is that he is simply late to the party.
Federer and Nadal have formed their fan bases before Djokovic entered the scene. Therefore, Djokovic was a nuisance in the eyes of those fans. Add to that the fact that Djokovic is now threatening their favorites' records, and you have your answer.
Everything else is just rationalization (for the vast majority of tennis fans).
You will even find that, if you go through some of the older threads of this tennis board, some of the biggest Djokovic "haters" were quite fond of him. For example, when he was protecting Roger's legacy by kicking Nadal's behind all around the world in 2011, Fed fans liked Djokovic quite a bit. The change started to happen in 2014. The 2014 Wimbledon final was the watershed moment when it comes to Fed fans (not all!) and their distaste for Djokovic.
Same with Nadal fans when Djokovic was losing to, but pushing Rafa in their early matches. Djokovic was "a good guy and a great tennis player", just unlucky that he was playing against Rafa. That all changed in 2011 obviously.
All the other reasons Djokovic critics list pale in comparison to the fact that Djokovic is the ultimate party crasher for the two biggest fanbases in tennis. In love, politics, or in tennis, there is no place for 3rd parties.
Elessar
Rookie
Ana Ivanovic is a pretty and cute girl who acts feminine and is not threatening in any way. Let's, for the sake of the argument, assume these things-
switch Ana's and Serena's physical built and on court mannerism. Now, let's assume that muscular Ana is closing in on American's sweetheart's (Serena's) records. Do you think Ana would be loved? I don't think so. She would be called a steroid head (some would even be making parallels to Soviet athletes-steroid users-Ivan Drago's of the time). Look at Sharapova for example. She is cold and arrogant, but she is good looking, which makes her appealing (and sponsor friendly to say the least). Different rules apply to men and women, when it comes to popularity.
Djokovic acts like a barbarian on the tennis court at times. That's why people who dislike him assume that his on court persona is the real Djokovic. I like Djokovic and I understand where he is coming from. I am an extremely competitive person. When I play any sport, it's like I am a totally different man. Once I am done playing/competing, I turn back to being easy going-fun loving dude. True Djokovic doesn't have to be either barbaric (on court), or nice (off court). Why can't he be both? In my opinion, he is a competitive demon when playing, and a laid back and good dude who wants to be appreciated if not loved off the court.
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