"Federer speaks elegance, Nadal was a fighter, but no one likes the third party": Bartoli believes Djokovic will end career without acclaim of tennis fans

ATP
Friday, 25 August 2023 at 01:20
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Former world No. 7 Marion Bartoli shared her opinion on the fans' affection for Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic.
The three greatest Grand Slam winners have divided fans' preferences for two decades. Despite Djokovic having the most Grand Slam titles, Bartoli believes that he might not end his career with universal fan love.
In a conversation with Tennis365, the former world No. 7 mentioned that the timing of their careers is what led to the fan divide.
"It was more the timing than anything. If you talk to all the players and fans around the world, people like Novak's personality and have a lot of respect for his game," said Bartoli.
According to the former French tennis player, fan affection is unevenly divided among the members of the Big Three:
"Roger [Federer] speaks elegance, Rafa [Nadal], on the other hand, was considered a fighter who won 14 times at Roland Garros. But nobody likes the third party [Djokovic]," said the Frenchwoman.
"If Novak had had just one other major competitor, he would have had a much larger fan base," she added.
"I think he's gained everyone's respect, but when it comes to love it's a little different. It's just human nature to cheer for one or the other and you don't want the third," said Bartoli.
The 2013 Wimbledon champion also expressed her opinion that Djokovic will finish his career as the player with the most Grand Slam titles and will continue to achieve accomplishments before retiring from professional tennis.
"I think when he ends his career, he will most likely be the one with the most Grand Slam wins and also the one who has achieved everything else," said the 38-year-old.
Djokovic recently claimed the title at the Cincinnati Open in an epic final against the world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz, with a score of 5-7, 7-6(7), 7-5(4). At the US Open, he will aim for his 24th Grand Slam starting on Monday. Djokovic has won the US Open three times before (2011, 2015, 2018).
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13 Comments
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StardustDragon 13 December 2023 at 21:11+ 237

You can fire 40 aces, 39 winners on both FH and BH, all day, but if you made 89 unforced errors from both wings, you would still lose. If your opponent played crucial moments better, you would lose. That's tennis

Forestgreen 09 December 2023 at 20:21+ 21

Roger Federer is the most graceful ,elegant Tennis player ever to set foot on the Tennis courts. He is born with a gift, a talent that is natural to him. Talent that cannot be learnt by training or practice.
Another player who is great to watch is Rod Laver.

andrei 09 December 2023 at 20:21+ 39

The most ridiculous part of this article is person that shared her/his opinion. For somebody (who is Bartoli?) that NOBODY ever heard of, it is a bit stupid to state that “NOBODY likes Novac”. More than a bit.

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StardustDragon 13 December 2023 at 21:12+ 237

She is 2013 Wimbledon Champion in singles

andrei 09 December 2023 at 20:21+ 39

Novac is the only superstar that has the courage to stick to his freedom and beliefs, and he represented millions of us who were caged silently by various dictators. Besides, he is probably the only one who has a brain in addition to a racquet in his hand. He speaks the most languages of any athlete of any sport. I liked Federer and Nadal but they both proved slaves of media. I hope Novac cleans all out.

Ghostlyhallows 09 December 2023 at 20:21+ 19

It's a shame that anyone who has not had a stellar tennis career can even weigh in, on How Djokovic is perceived. Given Federer is just admired his for Numerous charities his amazing and jaw dropping excellence. Nadal and his tenacity to never give up. But just also has the never give up spirit also. I am a lifetime for Djokovic. Always will be. He Reminds me of the other guy among the 3 Tenors he was not as well known Pavarotti and Placido but he was still on there level, just like Djokovic was disrespected and so was the third tenor.

MrAndreeva 09 December 2023 at 20:21+ 712

Djokovic must be remembered as the player with the strongest mental strength that ever lived. That you really cannot take away of him. Just one example. Teaming up with a Croatian coach as a Serb is simply not done in his country! Guess what? He did it. And Goran Ivanišević did the same.

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UnforcedError 09 December 2023 at 20:21+ 62

With a track record like Djokovic's, you have to be quiet and applaud!

jt 09 December 2023 at 20:22+ 58

Loved him from his first pro matches. Will always be my favorite. The fact that some Europeans look down their nose at him just motivates him. Classist fans and their 'who is the better player' judgements are looking more and more shallow, now that Nole has broken records and continues winning. History will likely hold him up as the GOAT. And sorry, Bartoli who?

Byronleemarley 23 November 2023 at 24:30+ 71

I was one of those fans who was hesitant to show love for Djokovic. In fact, I didn't start cheering for him until he was barred from playing the Australian Open over the ridiculous vaccine mandate. He stood up for his beliefs, and now I support him 💯%. Before that, my admiration for Roger and Rafa wouldn't allow me to cheer for Novak too. Now I wish I had appreciated him and his game from the beginning. He has my full support at the US Open!

MrAndreeva 09 December 2023 at 20:22+ 712

Deep insights from Bartoli there. Not.

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AceOfBase 09 December 2023 at 20:22+ 260

Yeah Bartoli is the correct person to discuss the Fanbase of one of the best tennis players ever.

MrAndreeva 09 December 2023 at 20:23+ 712

Her interview last time around with Fritz Taylor at Roland Garros will be the only thing i remember from her. As it never started. Lol.

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