Former world number one John McEnroe believes that Serbia’s legendary tennis star Novak Djokovic has not received fair treatment from fans compared to his rivals, Spain’s Rafael Nadal and Switzerland’s Roger Federer.
These three are considered the greatest players in the history of men’s tennis in the singles category, often referred to as the ‘Big Three.’
Federer and Nadal began their rivalry long before Djokovic emerged on the scene. However, Djokovic is now the most successful player in the history of men’s tennis in the Open era, with 24 Grand Slam titles. McEnroe, a former world number one and now a commentator, recently highlighted the unfair treatment Djokovic has received from fans.
“Novak has not only equaled them [Federer and Nadal] but surpassed them in overall achievements, which seemed impossible,” McEnroe stated. “Rafa and Roger are class acts, loved and respected worldwide. Novak, on the other hand, is often seen as the villain. This dynamic, though it helps create compelling rivalries, has been unfair to Djokovic. He is great for the sport, both on and off the court.”
Federer retired from professional tennis in 2022 due to ongoing fitness issues, finishing his career with 20 Grand Slam titles. He was the first male player to win more than 15 major titles and to reach 20 Grand Slam victories.
Meanwhile, Nadal has announced that the 2024 season will be his last at the highest level due to his own fitness struggles. The 37-year-old has won 22 Grand Slams in his illustrious career. Djokovic is currently recovering from a knee injury sustained during the French Open, which forced him to withdraw before the quarterfinal match against Norway’s Casper Ruud.