Roger Federer opens up on lack of respect for Novak Djokovic

Roger Federer has given some insights into his perception of Novak Djokovic, labelling the Serbian ‘misunderstood’.

Tennis great Roger Federer has opened up about his relationship with Novak Djokovic, admitting he didn’t respect the Serbian early in his career.

When Djokovic earned his breakthrough grand slam victory at the 2008 Australian Open, Federer and Rafael Nadal already had a firm rivalry established and were largely beloved by tennis fans.

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The Swiss legend also won his first four match-ups with Djokovic and Federer said he was slow to appreciate the youngster’s talents as he was making his way on Tour.

Federer’s comments come from a new Amazon Prime documentary, Federer: Twelve Final Days, which is being released this month.

“I played him in Monaco the very first time (in 2006) and I walked off the court and thought ‘yeah, he’s OK’,” Federer said of his 6-3 2-6 6-3 victory at the Masters 1000 event in Monte Carlo.

“Even though there was some hype around him, I wasn’t really fully convinced.

Federer has opened up about his feelings towards Djokovic in a new documentary. (Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP)

“I think I didn’t give Novak the respect he deserved because of his technical flaws.

“I felt like Novak had a very extreme forehand grip and his backhand for me wasn’t as fluid as it is nowadays.

“But then he ironed those things out super well and became an unbelievable monster of a player.”

Federer owned 12 grand slam singles titles before Djokovic got that first one at the Australian Open, while Nadal already held three French Open crowns and banked another French and his first Wimbledon shortly after the Serbian’s Melbourne Park victory.

Nadal’s five-set victory over Federer in the legendary 2008 Wimbledon final is considered by many the best match ever played.

Tennis is littered with all-time great rivalries, including Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova, John McEnroe versus Bjorn Borg and Pete Sampras against Andre Agassi, to name a few.

Federer became a beloved figure in tennis, something Djokovic has not always enjoyed. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP)

While tennis lovers lapped up the rivalry between Federer and Nadal, the combative Djokovic took longer to win over some fans.

Federer has his take on the situation, suggesting some fans viewed Djokovic as a “party crasher”.

“I guess he was the party crasher of Rafa and Roger fans,” he said.

“There was a lot of Rafa-Roger love there, so when Novak came probably a lot of people said ‘look, we don’t need a third guy. We’re happy with Roger and Rafa’.

“The Federer fans at the beginning didn’t really like him because they just thought ‘Roger’s a bit more easy, he does it with ease’.

“Then Novak came in with his strong personality and that unbelievable grit of wanting to win at all costs.

“I think also Novak was triggered by the relationship with the fans. I think that deep focus maybe scared some people away.”

Bjorn Borg (left) and John McEnroe enjoyed one of tennis’ great rivalries.

As history shows, Federer marched to a then-record 20 major titles, with his last falling at the 2018 Australian Open before he retired in 2022.

Nadal was first to break that mark and currently sits on 22 grand slam crowns, with Djokovic striding past both to currently hold the men’s record of 24.

Djokovic also finished on the winning side of his match-up with Federer, holding a 27-23 edge that included wins in six of their final seven showdowns.

The Swiss champion has since come to know the man away from the spotlight and the media perception.

“I think he’s been a little bit misunderstood,” Federer said. “I look past the media and I see at the end the man he is.

“If I take away his game, who is he? What are his values?

“I know he cares very deeply about his family.”

Federer and Nadal formed a close bond during their careers. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images for Laver Cup)

As always there has been a mixed reaction to Federer’s comments about Djokovic, including a number from The Telegraph in the UK.

“Ah, those were the days. Glad Djokovic is still around on court but it won’t be for long,” one wrote of the now 37-year-old.

“As a tennis fan I was just lucky to live in this era. 3 greats of the game,” wrote another.

“Not sure anyone actually “deserves” respect — sometimes you have to earn it or work for it. Djovokic wants wins not likes!” suggested another.

“Unfortunately for Novak, he had none of the charm, elegance and style of Roger. As such many of us never gave him the proper credit for his achievements,” offered a fourth.

The new Federer documentary is being released on June 20.

Originally published as Roger Federer opens up on lack of respect for Novak Djokovic