"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
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).
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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