Novak Djokovic Finding It Easier to Win Titles Than Fan Support

By
at Internationaled.org

Published: March 24, 2015

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Novak Djokovic sits atop the ATP Tour. Yet his standing with tennis fans seems mired somewhere in the middle.

Djokovic captured his fourth BNP Paribas Open title Sunday, tying Roger Federer for most wins in the desert. Djokovic is 19-2 on the season and winner of two titles, including the Australian Open. 

Apparently, it's easier for Djokovic to win titles than fan support. 

Unless he's playing before a Serbian crowd, Djokovic is neither despised nor beloved. In fact, fans seem unsure how to treat the reigning king of tennis. 

Often the favorite to win the match, Djokovic gets mixed reactions from tennis fans, despite his usually jovial demeanor.

Of course Sunday, Djokovic was up against Federer, a legend, adored worldwide. 



Djokovic is more of a regional dish, savored by Serbians. In a 2012 60 Minutes interview, former Serbian President Boris Tadic said Djokovic was improving his country's reputation.

Outside of Serbia, Djokovic is viewed as the third wheel, arriving uninvited to the Federer and Rafael Nadal party.

Djokovic's disconnect with fans is reminiscent of the lukewarm relationship Ivan Lendl shared with tournament-goers.  

Lendl played during an era full of some of the game's biggest personalities, including Bjorn Borg, John McEnroe and Jimmy Connors. He never received the fans' adulation. He never seemed to want it. Often indifferent, Lendl never played the court jester like Djokovic. 

Unlike Lendl, Djokovic tries hard to reach out to fans. He dances, sings and imitates other players. He plays an exciting brand of tennis, sprinting and sliding into points. 

One of the problems for Djokovic is that he came late to the party. Before Nadal arrived on the scene, Federer dominated the ATP Tour. Fans grew to love him. He had a few challengers, such as Andy Roddick and Lleyton Hew...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Tennis

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