Novak Djokovic admits he was not “the favorite kind of man” for a lot of of his rivals early in his skilled profession, together with Roger Federer.
Key factors:
Djokovic feels he rubbed Federer the unsuitable means early in his professionHowever Djokovic says he has all the time revered his opponentsDjokovic believes there’s a “line” gamers should not cross when it comes to their behaviour
It usually appeared Djokovic’s relationship with Federer was prickly when the Swiss was on the ATP Tour, maybe not shocking given the competitiveness of their rivalry.
They first met on court docket in 2006 when Federer was on the peak of his powers and Djokovic was simply shy of his nineteenth birthday.
Federer defeated Djokovic the primary time they confronted one another in a closing of a significant on the 2007 US Open, however the Serbian would go on to say a 27-23 benefit of their profession head-to-head conferences.
He’s chasing a document twenty fifth main singles trophy on the Australian Open, whereas Federer completed his profession with 20.
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Djokovic, a 10-time Australian Open winner, feels his persona rubbed Federer up the unsuitable means when he was beginning out on the tour.
“I do know actually Federer did not like the best way I used to be behaving initially,” Djokovic stated after beating Tomás MartÃn Etcheverry within the Australian Open third spherical on Friday evening.
“I believe it did not sit with him properly. I do not know in regards to the others.
“I assume I wasn’t the favorite kind of man to a few of the high guys as a result of I used to be not afraid to say that I wish to be the perfect participant on the planet.
“I used to be assured and I felt like I’ve the sport to again it up.”
Whereas highlighting his confidence, Djokovic says he “by no means, ever lacked respect” for his opponents.
“At any time when I begin a match, earlier than the match or end the match, I might all the time greet the opponent, all the time acknowledge [them],” he stated.
“Respect is one thing that I used to be taught that must be current, regardless of what’s occurring.
“Clearly on the court docket a variety of issues can occur in a sort of warmth of a battle. It was very very long time in the past now, 20 years since I made my debut, I believe, on the skilled tour.
“It is actually laborious to say who favored me roughly. I believe I named one, so I do not know. I am unable to recall others.”
Djokovic requires better respect
Alongside his stranglehold of the world number-one rating, 36-year-old Djokovic is among the many elder statesmen on the ATP Tour.
Finally yr’s US Open, he seemingly took offence to Ben Shelton’s trademark ‘hanging up the telephone’ celebration when he mimicked the younger American throughout their semifinal, which he received in straight units.
He raised the problem of Shelton’s on-court behaviour in an interview with French publication L’Equipe previous to the Australian Open, claiming the 21-year-old wanted to indicate better respect.
Talking in Melbourne, Djokovic says he applauds the arrogance of younger gamers however warns there’s a level the place it will probably grow to be disrespectful.
“I help 100 per cent a younger participant popping out on the court docket, like (Dino) Prižmić did the opposite evening towards me, and Shelton is doing popping out believing in his capabilities that he can problem the perfect gamers on the planet,” Djokovic stated.
“I do not dislike that in any respect. However there’s clearly some sort of line, a non-visible line, of acceptable behaviour, I assume, in the direction of the opposite participant.
“If a participant steps over that line, then clearly it begins being annoying. That is once you react or you do not react, no matter. It simply relies upon.
“However I am all for younger gamers displaying confidence and talking, all the time with respect, in the direction of the older guys who’re on the tour.”
Djokovic and Shelton had been heading in the right direction to arrange a re-match within the fourth spherical in Melbourne.
However the Sixteenth-seeded Shelton, an Australian Open quarterfinalist final yr, misplaced to France’s twentieth seed Adrian Mannarino 7-6 (7/4), 1-6, 6-7 (7/2), 6-3, 6-4 after virtually 5 hours on court docket of their third-round conflict.