In the grand pantheon of tennis legends, Novak Djokovic’s name stands alone as the most successful male to have ever played the game. While the likes of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are perhaps more beloved, neither of them has been able to win more slams than the Super Serb.
Nole’s victory in the US Open in New York City last autumn was the 24th Slam of a glittering career, two clear of the aforementioned King of Clay, while the Swiss Superman is two titles further adrift. And while Djokovic has yet to get his hands on a slam so far in 2024, he remains on the hunt.
The 37-year-old has safely made his way through to the semifinals of Wimbledon for the 13th time in his career. The latest tennis odds now make him a short-priced +125 second favorite behind reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz, and Djokovic will be aiming to emerge victorious at the All England Club for the eighth time, earning redemption for his defeat at the hands of the upstart Spanish wonderkid last year. However, if he does so, he may not be the most popular winner that SW3 has ever seen.
In recent times, Djokovic has become somewhat of a villain in the world of tennis. Whether that is due to the fact of simply being the best or for a much darker reason such as the country he represents, there can be no denying that Nole has been receiving a mixed reaction in recent times. But like any good villain, he is playing his role to perfection.
The Mixed Reception
While his achievements on the court are indisputable the Serbian supremo’s relationship with the crowd has been anything but straightforward. This year’s Wimbledon has seen that boil over… and then some.
After his quarterfinal victory over Holger Rune, Djokovic faced boos from the Centre Court crowd, leading to a tense post-match atmosphere. The victor did not shy away from addressing the reception, asserting that he felt disrespected by the spectators. “I don’t accept it. I know they were cheering for Rune but that’s an excuse to also boo.
“I’ve been on the tour for more than 20 years – trust me, I know all the tricks, I know how it works. You guys can’t touch me.”
This pointed criticism of the crowd wasn’t an isolated incident during the tournament. Earlier matches saw similar reactions, with Djokovic expressing his frustration openly. Now however, he has opted to tackle the issue head-on, and it seems that the continued negative receptions are only fueling the fire of the greatest of all time to add yet another trophy to his already overflowing collection.
A Record-Breaking Run
Despite the mixed reception, Djokovic’s performance at Wimbledon has seen him advance to the semifinals once again, tying Federer’s record for the most men’s singles semifinal appearances in the tournament’s history. His latest progression came after Alex de Minaur was forced to withdraw due to injury, a stroke of luck that Nole hasn’t been used to throughout his career. He has become accustomed to doing things the hard way.
Unlike the aforementioned Swiss star, however – who is often celebrated for his grace and elegance both on and off the court – Djokovic’s journey has been marked by a palpable sense of defiance. Whether it’s his impassioned celebrations, his confrontations with crowds, or his willingness to speak his mind, the GOAT refuses to fit the mold of a traditional hero.
His staunch reluctance to vaccinate due to the global events of 2020 and 2021 underscored his commitment to answering to nobody but himself. This has rubbed many people up the wrong way, but Djokoovc doesn’t care one bit, and why should he?
The Villain Archetype
The concept of a “villain” in sports is multifaceted. It encompasses not only actions and behaviors but also can be a tag given to people simply for being the best.
Unlike the universally adored Federer and the lion-hearted Nadal, Djokovic’s path to greatness has been paved with friction. His rivalries often carry an extra edge, a competitiveness that sometimes spills over into perceived arrogance. His infamous default at the 2020 US Open for accidentally striking a line judge with a ball, is an incident that lives long in the memory, and something that some fans haven’t forgotten.
The Legacy Question
As Djokovic continues his quest for an eighth Wimbledon title, the question of his legacy looms large. Whether he will be remembered as the greatest player of all time, however, is no longer up for debate.
While Federer and Nadal were winning Slams against the likes of Andy Roddick and Tomas Berdych, Nole had to defeat those two sporting icons, as well as Britain’s Andy Murray for good measure. Not only did he beat them on the grandest stage when it mattered the most, but he also surpassed their ccomplishments, winning more Grand Slams than all three of them, as well as every other male that has played tennis in the open era.
