Novak Djokovic has never been the most popular of players on the tour, especially when compared to Nadal or Federer.
The Serbian did not speak at length about his relationship with fans but he did accept several times that he is not as popular as Nadal and Djokovic. The relationship has often fueled Djokovic who at times enjoyed playing against the crowd.
Amazon Prime tennis analyst Annabel Croft hopes that will change in the future with the former player explaining what could happen on the example of John McEnroe:
“I really hope he eventually gets the adulation and love that he is deserving of given his achievements in the game. Having grown up in the [John] McEnroe era and he was so unpopular in
the 1980s. He was vilified as the real baddie of the sport. He
dominated the headlines for being brattish and someone said to me at the
time that in due course, he will get the love and I think that can also
happen with Djokovic.”
Djokvoic will try to write history at the 2021
US Open where he has the chance to complete the first calendar grand slam since Rod Laver did in 1969. If he does his popularity might not increase but the iconic status certainly will.