"He wanted to be more likable and now he stopped caring": Azarenka admits relating more to Djokovic than Federer or Nadal
ATP
Victoria
Azarenka explained why she connects more with Novak Djokovic than with Roger
Federer or Rafael Nadal.
The
Belarusian tennis player exited Wimbledon after a tough fourth-round match
against Ukrainian Elina Svitolina. The former world No. 1 won the first set but
couldn't maintain the lead, eventually falling in the final-set tiebreak.
Following
her elimination at SW19, Azarenka gave an interview on William Hill's Up Front
show and shared her opinion on the GOAT (Greatest of All Time) debate involving
Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer.
When asked
to choose the GOAT, the 2-time Grand Slam champion stated that Djokovic often
faces unwarranted criticism:
"He's
been painted, I don't know, like, a villian so many times. This is where I can
understand him, where there is a double standard for some people and I think
for him to maintain a good image, he needs to do so much more than Rafa and
Roger," Azarenka said.
“He is always
climbing uphill,” Azarenka about Djokovic.
"In my
eyes and probably many many people's eyes, Roger can do no wrong. Rafa can do
no wrong. Everything about them is supportive. He [Djokovic]? He is always
climbing uphill," she added.
"What
I've noticed and I might be completely wrong, I feel like when he was younger,
he wanted to be more likable and now I feel like he just stopped caring. To me,
something changed with that there. He's more relatable."
Vika's
schedule continues after Wimbledon, although she will have a few weeks of
competition break and will return at the WTA 1000 Montreal in the first week of
August. The Belarusian does not have any points to defend as she withdrew from
the tournament last year due to visa issues upon entering Canada.
In two
weeks, Azarenka will turn 34, making her the second-highest-ranked player among
those over 30 years old. When considering players aged 34 or older, the
Belarusian is the highest-ranked and there are only four other players of that
age in the top 100: Shuai Zhang (38th), Lesia Tsurenko (60th), Tatjana Maria
(62nd), and Sara Errani (76th).
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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