"It’s been hard for him at times": Andy Murray reflects on Djokovic's not feeling the same crowd support as Federer and Nadal

Andy Murray gave his verdict on the popularity of Novak Djokovic compared to Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal. The three-time Grand Slam champion is playing his last professional tournament in the doubles event at the Olympic Games alongside Dan Evans, where they reached the quarter-finals and face Americans Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul.

While competing in Paris 2024, Murray responded to a CNN interview where he opined that it has been difficult for Nole not to feel the same public support that his great rivals have, but that “maybe helped him achieve more.”

Both Murray and Djokovic are in their fifth Olympic appearance and both advanced deep in their draws. Murray decided to withdraw from the singles due to not being at 100% physically and decided to focus on doubles with Evans, where they reached the quarter-finals, saving break points in their two matches. On the other hand, Djokovic advanced easily in the singles to the quarter-finals, where he faces Tsitsipas.

The only major title Djokovic has yet to win is an Olympic gold medal, and against the Greek, he has another chance to reach an Olympic final and compete for a gold medal. Along the way, he faced hometown favorite Rafael Nadal, where the almost unanimous support of the crowd for the Spaniard at Roland Garros was evident.

Murray was asked if Djokovic’s “mental frailty” has to do with wanting to please the public: “Yeah look, I think obviously at times it’s been difficult for him because Nadal and Federer — before Novak became the best player in the world and in terms of titles and everything, the best male player, he’s won the most Grand Slams and had an unbelievable career — that Rafa and Roger were so loved and had a brilliant rivalry,” said the British legend.

“I think Novak has huge support around the world, but yeah I think at times it has been difficult for him to not maybe feel the same support from the crowd that Rafa and Roger got, but you know he still does have massive support around the world,” the former world No. 1 added.

“I think he’s extremely well-respected, not just in tennis but in world sport because of all of his achievements,” Murray stated. “And I think at times he’s thrived on that as well, when the crowd hasn’t been behind him he’s played some of his best tennis and his best matches when that hasn’t been the case.

“So in a strange way it’s maybe helped him achieve more, but yeah it’s been hard for him at times,” opined the three-time Grand Slam champion about Djokovic.