US Edition
"I felt like an unwanted child" - Novak Djokovic gets emotional over not being as loved as Rafael Nadal & Roger Federer
- Novak Djokovic, aged 38, played his last match on June 6, 2025, losing to Jannik Sinner in the French Open semifinal in Paris.
- Djokovic's career unfolded amid the intense rivalry of Federer and Nadal, whom he respected but felt less loved and often like an outsider.
- He revealed in an interview that despite acting differently early on, he still felt unwanted and acknowledged stronger personal affinity with Nadal than Federer.
- Djokovic expressed his admiration for both Federer and their other rival, emphasizing that he has never spoken negatively about them and never intends to do so. He also revealed that he has often felt like an outsider, mentioning that he has struggled to receive the same level of affection as Federer and Nadal.
- Despite missing his 25th Grand Slam at Roland Garros, Djokovic achieved a 21-8 record this year, underscoring his enduring legacy and ongoing influence in tennis.
16 Articles
16 Articles
‘I felt like the unwanted child’: Novak Djokovic says he wasn’t ‘adored as much as Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal’ in Big 3 rivalry
Novak Djokovic said he wasn't welcomed positively for challenging the reign of Federer and Nadal in the noughties, stating that the Swiss and Spaniard appealed to the Western world.
Djokovic Opens Up About Feeling 'Like Unwanted Child' Next To Nadal And Federer
Novak Djokovic opened up about his relationship with Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer and how he felt when he arrived as a young, promising player. Djokovic is, undoubtedly, the most successful tennis player of all time. Statistically, he is the greatest man to ever hold a tennis racket, and he can pr...
“They Didn’t Like That I Was Challenging Them” – Djokovic Reflects on Rivalries with Federer and Nadal
Nadal, Federer, Djokovic, and Murray (PC: Roland Garros) In a recent chat on (Ne)uspjeh Prvaka’s YouTube channel, tennis superstar Novak Djokovic opened up about how his relationships with both Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have changed over the years. He said: “My attitude toward them in that sense never changed. The situation because their attitude towards me changed. I always tried to be, how should I put it? I looked up to them. I still loo…
Djokovic Opens Up on Rivalry, Regret, and Feeling Like the “Unwanted Child” Among Tennis Legends - MySportDab
24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic has admitted that his journey to the top of world tennis has been shaped by moments of doubt, regret, and emotional struggle, MySportDab Reports. In a candid interview for the show Failures of Champions, the Serbian tennis icon reflected on his complicated legacy and often uneasy standing among fans compared to Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. “I’ve never been as admired and loved as Federer and Nadal be…
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