Djokovic’s Father Sounds Off About The Top Players

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 31st July 2013

Djokovic’s Father Sounds Off About The Top Players

epa03779631 Novak Djokovic of Serbia returns to Andy Murray of Britain during the men's final for the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, in London, Britain, 07 July 2013. EPA/KERIM OKTEN |

Numerous comparisons have been made between the current era of men’s tennis, spearheaded by Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, and the bygone age of Bjorn Borg, John McEnroe, Jimmy Connors and Ivan Lendl. The one constant in making the quartet of more than three decades ago more entertaining was a lack of angst and confrontational edge between the current high-flyers but all that might not be the case according to Djokovic’s father Srdjan.

Speaking in an interview with the Serbian daily newspaper Kurir, Djokovic Snr. maintained relations between his son and both Federer and Nadal are currently far from convivial.

He cited experiences from a Davis Cup tie, played in Geneva as long ago as September 2006, to vent his feelings about Federer, saying: “He’s perhaps still the best tennis player in history, but as a man he’s the opposite.”

Federer won the Davis Cup rubber in straight sets against a then still 19 years-old Djokovic He attacked Novak at the Davis Cup in Geneva, he realized that he was his successor and was trying to discredit him in every way. Novak’s success is an amazing thing and something that one cannot understand.”

Nadal, long thought to be on excellent terms with Djokovic after the pair contested classic Grand Slam finals at the US Open, Australian Open, is viewed equally harshly. “Nadal was his [Novak’s] best friend while he was winning,” said Srdjan. “When things changed, they were no longer friends. This is not sport. This is what Novak has in him, but others don’t.”

But there is no malice aimed at Murray who beat Djokovic in the recent Wimbledon final as well as last September’s US Open. “I have never, not even for a second, felt jealousy from Andy’s family,” said Srdjan.

“Andy’s mother went in the locker room, in Rome, to congratulate Novak, his team and family. They cannot be best friends as they fight for the most important titles, and lot of money.

“But they are more than correct rivals and I’m sure that after they finish their professional careers, they will be great friends.”

Nadal was clearly offended by the comment and speaking to reporters at DC Inter Manacor in his native Majorca, he responded : “Djokovic’s father should talk to his son. My relationship with him has always been very good and it still is. I’ve lost many games with him, and he with me and have never had any problems.”