🇫🇷🇷🇸 Marion Bartoli on Novak Djokovic: “If he were American, he would have a statue in every city! The fact that he is Serbian means that he is not as publicised” Source: RMCLive 🗣️
"Coming from a small Eastern European country, with a recent painful past, affects one's popularity rating": Bartoli about Djokovic
Tennis NewsMonday, 18 September 2023 at 11:45
Marion Bartoli has voiced her agreement with those saying Novak Djokovic's nationality affects how he is perceived on the global stage.
World No. 1 Djokovic made history at the US Open last week after he defeated Daniil Medvedev in straight sets to win his 24th Grand Slam title. In doing so, he equaled Margaret Court's record set decades ago.
After reaching this milestone achievement, Djokovic was asked by Serbian media if he could be considered the best athlete of all time. Although he didn't directly answer, the 36-year-old said that he believed he would have received more credit earlier on if he wasn't from Serbia.
"I leave that to you guys and all the others, whether I deserve to be a part of that debate. One thing is a fact, though – if I wasn’t from Serbia, I’d have been glorified on a sporting level many years ago, especially in the west. But that’s part of my journey, I am grateful and proud to come from Serbia – because of that, all of these accomplishments are sweeter and even more fulfilling," he said.
Bartoli says Djokovic would be more popular if he was American
In response to these comments, French former tennis player Bartoli added her thoughts on how nationality can affect the recognition and perception of athletes. She said that if Djokovic was American, he would have received a lot more praise for his achievements.
"Of course it’s not just the fact that he is Serbian. We know very well that if Novak was American, he'd have a statue in every city. The fact that he is Serbian means that he is not as publicized," she explained.
The 38-year-old added that Serbia's recent 'painful past' regarding its involvement in the Yugoslav Wars, something which Djokovic has spoken about before, has also affected his popularity on an international scale.
"Coming from a small Eastern European country, with a recent painful past, affects one's popularity rating," she added.
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