Tool or champ: Why we love to hate Djoker

Novak Djokovic is on track to end his career as the most winningest grand slam champion - but not everyone is impressed.

World No 1 Novak Djokovic to fans from a hotel balcony while in quarantine in Adelaide Picture: AFP

Villain, or misunderstood?

There’s no in between when it comes to world No 1 Novak Djokovic, who’s back in the headlines after telling everyone his infamous Australian Open requests were “misconstrued”.

To Djokovic, he was simply trying to help those worse off than him. To Nick Kyrgios, he’s “a tool”.

The Serbian superstar’s tennis brilliance and elastic athleticism are undeniable, and it’s almost universally accepted that at some stage he will own the men’s grand slam titles record.

Yet sharing an era with fellow legends Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal has never worked to Djokovic’s advantage off court despite them elevating each other to unmatched heights on it.

That’s not to say the 33-year-old isn’t hugely popular.

Djokovic’s ravenous #NoleFam gave everyone an insight into their fanaticism after his US Open default last year, for accidentally but recklessly hitting a line judge with a ball.

They hunted as a pack, sniffed out the lineswoman’s name and Instagram account – with help from a Serbian tabloid – and set about abusing her, as if the whole thing was her fault.

One fan warned: “I hope you rot in hell for this. Hell hath no fury like @djokernole’s fans scorned!!!”

Djokovic, who resigned as ATP player council president last year in the wake of revelations about a new players’ association he’s involved in, had little choice but to step in and ask for them to stop.

However, it was Federer who was voted the ATP Tour’s favourite player for the 18th straight year – despite barely playing in 2020 – while Nadal dwarfs them both in social media following.

Federer was known for his temper tantrums as a junior, but neither he nor Nadal has a blot on his copybook quite like Djokovic’s default. It’s not a one-off, either.

There was his much talked about touching of chair umpire Damien Dumusois’ foot during a heated exchange over a time violation in last year’s Australian Open final.

And the sarcastic gibe that went with it: “You made yourself famous in this match. Great job.”

Djokovic regularly gets into it with chair umpires, then typically fobs it off afterwards as just the heat of the moment.

His Adria Tour, which resulted in a wave of positive COVID-19 tests, did him no favours, either.

There was also his chat with wellness guru Chervin Jafarieh, when he told us: “I know some people that, through energetical transformation … managed to turn the most toxic food, or maybe most polluted water, into the most healing water.”

It was Djokovic’s Pete Evans moment. It was weird, but oh-so-Novak Djokovic, who’s transformed himself from a contender into an all-time great with an obsession to offbeat nutrition. The results can’t be argued with. He has won 17 grand slam titles and is rapidly closing on Federer’s record for weeks spent at No 1.

Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley also insists Djokovic’s quarantine wishlist was merely filled with suggestions rather than demands.

In Djokovic’s own words: “My good intentions for my fellow competitors in Melbourne have been misconstrued as being selfish, difficult, and ungrateful.”

This is all going down in the country Djokovic won almost half his grand slam titles in, but also the place his father slammed as disrespectful for not cheering his son in last year’s final.

There’s always another layer to a Djokovic story. He’s a tennis titan, an individual, a leader – but not for everyone.

Herald Sun