Former Wimbledon doubles champion Nielsen sees Djokovic as being dishonest: "He's not true to himself"

Doubles champion Frederik Nielsen has criticised Novak Djokovic for being dishonest, whilst Nielsen defends countryman Holger Rune.

Former Wimbledon men's doubles champion Frederik Nielsen has said that he thinks World No. 2 Novak Djokovic is 'not true to himself' and is 'always trying to look different than he really is.'

These comments come in the wake of criticism aimed at Nielsen's countryman Holger Rune, who he has defended by claiming that Rune 'is the exact opposite' of Djokovic's behaviour. The 20-year-old Danish player, currently ranked at No. 6 in the world, has often been grouped together with the likes of Carlos Alcaraz as a possible successor to the Big Three, which of course includes Djokovic himself.

However, Rune has come under fire for his own behavior, which has been described by some as unsportsmanlike and unpleasant. From calling the umpire in a match against Djokovic at the Italian Open an 'absolute joke', to being told by three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka to 'stop acting like a baby on court', Rune's career so far has certainly not been without drama. Perhaps the most striking example of controversy comes from an ATP challenger event in 2021, when he was caught on video shouting gay slurs during a match. Afterwards, he claimed the slurs were directed towards himself.

Nevertheless, when speaking to the Danish site Spilxperten, Nielsen praised Rune's authenticity, saying that 'he is always honest with himself and others.' This is something that Rune himself has echoed, saying that it would be 'boring' if everyone was exactly the same. Nielsen went on to describe him as 'a boy with great personality, wit and who offers original answers.'

However, this praise was not extended to 23-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic. Instead, Nielsen said Djokovic is 'a tennis player I don't like at all.'

It cannot be denied that Djokovic has also had his fair share of drama throughout his professional career. At the 2020 US Open, he was disqualified for unintentionally hitting a lineswoman with a ball that he had hit away in frustration during a match. He apologised ina statement after the incident, calling the situation 'So unintended. So wrong.'

Off the court, he most notably caused controversy with his unvaccinated status during the COVID-19 pandemic, which stopped him from competing in several major tournaments.

Nielsen's dislike of Djokovic does not seem to have changed the relationship between the Serbian player and Rune, as the two reportedly get on well off the court. Both will be appearing at Wimbledon this year, with Djokovic hoping to defend his status as the tournament's reigning champion.