Djokovic Discusses Fan Support and Legacy

Novak Djokovic has reflected on feeling like the 'unwanted child' among tennis’s 'Big Three,' believing he was less loved by fans compared to Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal despite surpassing them in Grand Slam titles. Djokovic attributes this to his later emergence, disruption of the Federer-Nadal rivalry, and to cultural and regional biases favoring his Western European peers. He admitted that his efforts to change his demeanor for broader acceptance were unsuccessful and described the experience as painful. While emphasizing mutual respect among the trio, Djokovic said he always got along best with Nadal and denied any animosity. Fan reactions to his comments have been mixed, with some accusing him of 'playing the victim.' Despite these challenges, Djokovic remains proud of his accomplishments and is determined to continue pursuing further records in his career.