Would Djokovic trade 5 GS titles in exchange for a little popularity?

[Elektra]

To first answer the OP's original question...in the hypothetical world where such an offer was possible, there's absolutely no chance of Djokovic giving up Slams for popularity...and certainly not 5 of them.

No secret that Djokovic in the main hasn't achieved the popularity enjoyed by both Federer and Nadal and this is due to many many factors, ...most of which have nothing to do directly with him as personally I think he comes across as an incredibly open and likeable kind of guy.

Federer and Nadal's popularity skyrocketed on the back of their success but perhaps more importantly their rivalry, something Nike were able to cleverly exploit and commercialise. Djokovic hasn't had the advantage of being tied to the mega marketing machine which is Nike and I feel that has certainly impacted his popularity when compared to Federer and Nadal.
In addition his success has largely come at the expense of 2 of the most loved and popular tennis players ever, something which hardly endears you to the fans. While I think people are now starting to warm to him as he begins chasing records he was initially seen by most as the villain and the man who prevented Federer and Nadal from creating even more history and extending their rivalry in Grand Slam Finals.

Funnily Djokovic is extremely popular throughout Asia and my thoughts as to why this might be is because it's really only been in the last 5-6 years that the ATP has started it's significant push into Asia - of course the WTF were held there prior to this but that was largely done as a means to ensure Asia got to experience the top players, a key component of their marketing strategy. In the time tennis has exploded in Asia, Djokovic has largely been the top dog and therefore their go to guy...something I'm sure would have influenced UnIqlo's attraction to him.

Tennis is borderline nationalistic, the country you hail from can impact your markeability and appeal. Monica Seles is from Yugolslavia but she is adopted child of the United States and most of her success is caused she lives in the US. Maria Sharapova is from Russia but she does not act Russian she acts more American and lives in America. That impacts her popularity and marketability around the world. Switzerland is a neutral country that does not have any wars, quiet country and a money haven for the rich. So you have people that will be drawn to Federer cause he hails from Switzerland.

Spain is a romantic country, exotic and often free spirited. You have Rafael Nadal who embodies that romanticism of the Spanish Cassanova.

Then you have Andy Murray who comes from a country that has pride in themselves and has strong ties to British monarch. Andy Murray is not the greatest looking guy but his appeal will be bigger cause of the country he hails from.

Djokovic hails from a country often misunderstood, has close ties to Russia and a Slavic nation. Most Slavic people are looked upon as "others" in that European hiearchy.


Most of Djokovic's appeal has been in Asia, his major sponsors are Asian companies. Now that Kei is in the mix, Asians would go for Kei over Novak.

 

[Deleted member 688153]

But really, what is with this meme of Novak being unpopular?
Surely this place, over the last couple of years, is proof that he is perfectly popular. Yes a few of them are gloryhunters, but he clearly has many good fans on here who are honest fans and respectable individuals.

I go to the Australian Open every year and his matches are always sold out ahead of time, and in the crowds there are always lots of his fans. Usually more than for anyone else except Federer and Nadal.

His practice sessions are always totally packed as well. I arrived two or three hours early for one this year (to get a good seat) and there were already loads of people.

The idea that he's somehow much less popular with fans, both on here and IRL at the events, is baseless.
I feel it's just straw-clutching from people who dislike his dominance of late. Whatever you think of him, what's the point in trying to spread easily disproven misinformation?

 

[Elektra]

But really, what is with this meme of Novak being unpopular?
Surely this place, over the last couple of years, is proof that he is perfectly popular. Yes a few of them are gloryhunters, but he clearly has many good fans on here who are honest fans and respectable individuals.

I go to the Australian Open every year and his matches are always sold out ahead of time, and in the crowds there are always lots of his fans. Usually more than for anyone else except Federer and Nadal.

His practice sessions are always totally packed as well. I arrived two or three hours early for one this year (to get a good seat) and there were already loads of people.

The idea that he's somehow much less popular with fans, both on here and IRL at the events, is baseless.
I feel it's just straw-clutching from people who dislike his dominance of late. Whatever you think of him, what's the point in trying to spread easily disproven misinformation?

Most people are television viewers of tennis and they go by the optics.

 

[Tennis wizard]

Pretty sure novak picked uniqlo over nike... but anyway i don't know what rock you are living under but novak is pretty damn popular
As popular as nadal and federer ? no, but i don't think you will ever get anyone that will be as popular as these two.

Its also telling that there is a huge bias against him when it comes to the casual fan, because he has taken titles away from federer and nadal.

P.s i wish he would get rid of that silly celebration he does with the ball kids

 

[6august]

Morons, use your tiny brains

 

[6august]

#1 Cristiano Ronaldo $88 M $56 M $32 M Soccer
#2 Lionel Messi $81.4 M $53.4 M $28 M Soccer
#3 LeBron James $77.2 M $23.2 M $54 M Basketball
#4 Roger Federer $67.8 M $7.8 M $60 M Tennis
#5 Kevin Durant $56.2 M $20.2 M $36 M Basketball
#6 Novak Djokovic $55.8 M $21.8 M $34 M Tennis

2016 stats

http://www.forbes.com/athletes/list/#tab:overall

 

[Deleted member 688153]

Most people are television viewers of tennis and they go by the optics.

Going purely off TV viewing, from a neutral perspective I'd say Nadal would be the most rewarding to watch on TV day-in, day-out. Depends on preference though, as a Fed fan I would personally choose Federer.
Federer and Djokovic are better in real life I think, their more offensive tennis makes them look basically inhuman when you're up close. Especially Djokovic. Nadal looks basically inhuman from wherever you watch him.

 

[ArcspacE]

It's no secret that he is the least popular #1 of all time. Nearly every match he plays, the crowd cheers wildly for his opponent. Nike won't touch him with an 8 foot pole. None of the younger players idolize him, not even a little. Most consider the sport to be objectively worse with him at #1 and actively declining with every title he wins.

Anyone can see that this bothers him immensely. I think he would trade a minimum of 5 grand slam titles in exchange to hear the crowd cheer him to victory. Maybe more.

Most players view the olympics as something between a nuisance and maybe a nice spot to party with other athletes. Djokovic saw it as a chance to appeal to a new audience of people who aren't normally tennis fans. They were supposed to like him.

Log off and close your account

Thanks

 

[Dave1982]

Pretty sure novak picked uniqlo over nike... but anyway i don't know what rock you are living under but novak is pretty damn popular
As popular as nadal and federer ? no, but i don't think you will ever get anyone that will be as popular as these two.

Its also telling that there is a huge bias against him when it comes to the casual fan, because he has taken titles away from federer and nadal.

P.s i wish he would get rid of that silly celebration he does with the ball kids

I have no doubt that Novak's people would have at some point throughout his career had a conversation with Nike...problem is the Nike offer would have been significantly less upfront compared to what Adidas, ST & Uniqlo would have offered. Nike very rarely sign established stars, they much prefer signing players young & then following them through.

Novak's popularity among both hardcore fans & the casual observer is definitely on the rise & in part I attribute that to the decline of Federer & Nadal & the acceptance of their careers now very much being in their twilight years & the expectation for them to win Slams has significantly diminished.

 

[heninfan99]

No but he'd trade a Masters 1000

 

[Shoeless99]

It's true that Nike picks up young talent in hopes that they make a splash on the scene. But I also think that Nike has a really good sense of who is going to be marketable after they make it.
I believe that if Novak was to be himself, he would get more respect on the courts.. Maybe even a nike contract

 

[KingKyrgios]

He would probably give all his slams...he is so pathetic about popularity that hes making a redicule of himself with a reality show LOL

 

[BeatlesFan]

Djoker's pathological need to be loved/adored by the crowds is one of his more irritating traits (and turns off millions of potential fans). But obviously he wouldn't trade even one major to be beloved. He's an ATG and has a chance to get 1-2 more majors to tie him with Pete and Rafa. He ain't giving away nothin' at this point, even in exchange for world-wide worship.

 

[JoelSandwich]

If I were in his shoes absolutely not.

 

[Booger]

If I were in his shoes absolutely not.

Can you imagine what it's like to be the winning-est player of your time, and yet, most fans of the sport quietly root for you to lose every match? All the while, you have to watch Grandpa GOAT be treated like a living deity in every country of the world. That must take an unimaginable toll on his ego as a professional athlete.

 

[JoelSandwich]

Can you imagine what it's like to be the winning-est player of your time, and yet, most fans of the sport quietly root for you to lose every match? All the while, you have to watch Grandpa GOAT be treated like a living deity in every country of the world. That must take an unimaginable toll on his ego as a professional athlete.

I see your point, but I still don't think he should once he retires nobody will care if you were loved or not, they'll just care about how good you were. In the moment though it's definitely hard for him I imagine.

 

[ABCD]

Can you imagine what it's like to be the winning-est player of your time, and yet, most fans of the sport quietly root for you to lose every match? All the while, you have to watch Grandpa GOAT be treated like a living deity in every country of the world. That must take an unimaginable toll on his ego as a professional athlete.

I am sure that Djokovic learned very early in his life that "life is not fair". I wouldn't mind to be in his shoes at all.

 

[Elektra]

It's true that Nike picks up young talent in hopes that they make a splash on the scene. But I also think that Nike has a really good sense of who is going to be marketable after they make it.
I believe that if Novak was to be himself, he would get more respect on the courts.. Maybe even a nike contract

Nike is one of the largest companies in the world. It is up there with APPLE in terms of worldwide appeal and creating markets. All the top athletes in the world are endorsed by Nike and Addidas.

 

[Shoeless99]

You are absolutely correct and on that one. My question is why not this number 1 athlete?

 

[Shoeless99]

You are absolutely correct and on that one. My question is why not this number 1 athlete?

You are absolutely correct and on that one. My question is why not this number 1 athlete?

 

[Shoeless99]

Nike is one of the largest companies in the world. It is up there with APPLE in terms of worldwide appeal and creating markets. All the top athletes in the world are endorsed by Nike and Addidas.

You are absolutely correct and on that one. My question is why not this number 1 athlete?


Sorry about that mates