joshuayuan
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Source
MARCH 14, 2016
1:40PM
Tyson Otto
news.com.au
IT HAS been 10 years, but the injustice is still fresh in the memory of Srdjan Djokovic — the father of World No. 1 Novak Djokovic.
The world No. 1 and Roger Federer have for years appeared to be perfect rivals — fierce competitors on-court with nothing but respect and admiration off the court.
But Srdjan is not as quick to forget and forgive as his son.
In a rare interview with Newsweek Europe, Srdjan has sensationally launched an unprovoked attack on the man regarded by many as the greatest men’s player of all time.
He says Federer revealed his true nature during a 2006 Davis Cup tie between Switzerland and Serbia in Geneva when the Swiss master “disrespected” Novak.
During a singles tie between Novak and Stanislas Wawrinka, the Serb regularly called for medical treatment over a sinus problem that affected his breathing.
Federer, at the time, questioned the seriousness of Djokovic’s condition, labelling his frequent calls for the trainer as a “joke”.
Srdjan has never forgotten it.
“Novak was just 19 at the time,” Srdjan said.
“He had a deviation of his sinuses and couldn’t breathe. And Federer tried in every possible way to disrespect him because of his breathing problem.”
Srdjan appeared to question Federer’s reputation as one of the nice guys of the sport.
“He showed himself to be the best player in the world but not as a good person at that time,” Srdjan said of Federer.
“Nobody has ever treated Novak like this. I don’t understand why Federer is still playing tennis.
“I don’t know why he’s still playing — he’s already 34.”
It is not the first time Srdjan has taken aim at Federer.
Srdjan has previously accused the 17-time grand slam champion and former world No. 1 Rafael Nadal of being sore losers since Djokovic took ownership of the top ranking.
“He attacked Novak at the Davis Cup in Geneva (in 2006), he realised that he was his successor and was trying to discredit him in every way,” he told Serbian newspaper Kurir.
“Novak’s success is an amazing thing and something that one cannot understand.
“Nadal was his best friend while he was winning. When things changed, they were no longer friends. This is not sport. This is what Novak has in him, but others don’t.”
He believes his son will surpass Federer’s record of 17 grand slam titles and become the greatest tennis player of all time.
“He will be the best tennis player in history,” he said.
“I have been saying it since he entered tennis. Surely, he will be one of the best sportsmen ever. All of it is because he was sent from God."
“As a family, we tried to make God’s wish come true. He can win another 10 grand slams.”
Srdjan has always spoken highly of current world No. 2 Andy Murray, and believes the Scot is the biggest threat to his son’s dominance.
Srdjan says Murray is wasting a “great, great talent” because he loses his cool and concentration too easily.
“If he learns to calm down he will have a far bigger career than he has by now,” Srdjan told Newsweek Europe.
“I would love for Murray to achieve his potential.
“Murray is a great, great talent — one of the biggest ever, and a big part of it is not being used because his mindset is not calm. He gets frustrated very easily. When he’s winning he has booming confidence but, once he starts losing, his mind turns around and he looks lost. He starts talking to his box, and this distracts his mind.”
Djokovic has won 22 of the 31 matches the pair have played on the ATP Tour — including the 2016 Australian Open final.
MARCH 14, 2016
1:40PM
Tyson Otto
news.com.au
IT HAS been 10 years, but the injustice is still fresh in the memory of Srdjan Djokovic — the father of World No. 1 Novak Djokovic.
The world No. 1 and Roger Federer have for years appeared to be perfect rivals — fierce competitors on-court with nothing but respect and admiration off the court.
But Srdjan is not as quick to forget and forgive as his son.
In a rare interview with Newsweek Europe, Srdjan has sensationally launched an unprovoked attack on the man regarded by many as the greatest men’s player of all time.
He says Federer revealed his true nature during a 2006 Davis Cup tie between Switzerland and Serbia in Geneva when the Swiss master “disrespected” Novak.
During a singles tie between Novak and Stanislas Wawrinka, the Serb regularly called for medical treatment over a sinus problem that affected his breathing.
Federer, at the time, questioned the seriousness of Djokovic’s condition, labelling his frequent calls for the trainer as a “joke”.
Srdjan has never forgotten it.
“Novak was just 19 at the time,” Srdjan said.
“He had a deviation of his sinuses and couldn’t breathe. And Federer tried in every possible way to disrespect him because of his breathing problem.”
Srdjan appeared to question Federer’s reputation as one of the nice guys of the sport.
“He showed himself to be the best player in the world but not as a good person at that time,” Srdjan said of Federer.
“Nobody has ever treated Novak like this. I don’t understand why Federer is still playing tennis.
“I don’t know why he’s still playing — he’s already 34.”
It is not the first time Srdjan has taken aim at Federer.
Srdjan has previously accused the 17-time grand slam champion and former world No. 1 Rafael Nadal of being sore losers since Djokovic took ownership of the top ranking.
“He attacked Novak at the Davis Cup in Geneva (in 2006), he realised that he was his successor and was trying to discredit him in every way,” he told Serbian newspaper Kurir.
“Novak’s success is an amazing thing and something that one cannot understand.
“Nadal was his best friend while he was winning. When things changed, they were no longer friends. This is not sport. This is what Novak has in him, but others don’t.”
He believes his son will surpass Federer’s record of 17 grand slam titles and become the greatest tennis player of all time.
“He will be the best tennis player in history,” he said.
“I have been saying it since he entered tennis. Surely, he will be one of the best sportsmen ever. All of it is because he was sent from God."
“As a family, we tried to make God’s wish come true. He can win another 10 grand slams.”
Srdjan has always spoken highly of current world No. 2 Andy Murray, and believes the Scot is the biggest threat to his son’s dominance.
Srdjan says Murray is wasting a “great, great talent” because he loses his cool and concentration too easily.
“If he learns to calm down he will have a far bigger career than he has by now,” Srdjan told Newsweek Europe.
“I would love for Murray to achieve his potential.
“Murray is a great, great talent — one of the biggest ever, and a big part of it is not being used because his mindset is not calm. He gets frustrated very easily. When he’s winning he has booming confidence but, once he starts losing, his mind turns around and he looks lost. He starts talking to his box, and this distracts his mind.”
Djokovic has won 22 of the 31 matches the pair have played on the ATP Tour — including the 2016 Australian Open final.
