Novak Djokovic (Image: AP/Seth Wenig)

In a viral tweet, New York Times tennis writer Ben Rothenberg said that the three most reliably crowd-supported players in men’s tennis are Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and whoever is playing Novak Djokovic.

As Djokovic stands on the precipice of securing every major record in men’s tennis history he struggles to secure a dedicated fan base.  

At the Tokyo Olympics, where Federer and Nadal will both be absent, Djokovic has the potential to secure the second last piece of the first golden slam (all four grand slams and an Olympic gold in a calendar year). This is a big ask, but his recent dominance makes it well and truly within reach and would make his status as the greatest of all time even harder to negate.

So why doesn’t he enjoy support like that of Federer and Nadal?

Djokovic has done much to make himself unpopular: his opinions on vaccines; his controversial approach to wellness; his perceived arrogance; the disastrous Adria tour, a COVID super-spreader event — to name a few. However, there’s an argument that from the outset of his success, Djokovic was unfairly vilified. 

He has been cast as the eastern European villain who disrupted and eventually superseded the historic rivalry of Federer and Nadal. 

It starts with the story of a classic rivalry: Federer looks unbeatable through the mid-2000s until young challenger Nadal ascends to win the 2005 French Open at 19. Eventually, in a career-defining game for both players, Nadal defeats Federer on his best surface at Wimbledon in 2008. The pair produced enthralling tennis, and fans were thrilled.

It was in this climate that Djokovic emerged, reaching number one and winning three grand slams in 2011. But the tennis world already had their favourites in the Fedal rivalry, and there was no room for a third wheel.  

There may also be a more sinister element to the tennis world failing to embrace Djokovic.

Western cinema loves to reflect political perspectives in its villains. From the Nazis in the Indiana Jones saga to Soviets in various James Bond films, the nationality of the bad guys is often tied to contemporary events and tensions. After the cold war and the 1990s Balkans conflict, eastern Europeans, and often specifically Serbians, became the villains of choice.

This was reflected in various mediums, with examples including The Expendables, Grand Theft Auto, 24, a series of forgettable late ’90s action films and even Mary-Kate and Ashley’s Our Lips are Sealed. While not seeking to assess the validity of such depictions, this ubiquity proves it is a stereotype that is pervasive, and one that Djokovic may well have been swept up in.

The ATP tour is heavily centred to the West after all, with the major tournaments in Australia, France, the UK and the US. Funnily enough, the only time Djokovic has guaranteed support is on the few occasions when Serbians are in the crowd. 

On the surface, this might not mean much, but when compared with the stereotypes associated with his rivals, the point becomes clear. Federer comes from the land of chocolate, luxury watches and neutrality; Nadal’s country evokes sangria, Gaudi and salsa dancing. Add that to the timing of the “eastern European villain” arriving to defeat the much-loved Swiss and Spanish heroes, and it sounds like the plot of one of the aforementioned movies. 

But Djokovic often doesn’t help himself with how he acts on court, and it could easily be argued that even with the disadvantages associated with Serbian stereotypes and timing, he has made himself unlikeable. A recent example was his whining about high winds during the 2019 French Open semi-final, an outdoor tournament where all players faced the same conditions.

However, at times it seems the deeply ingrained dislike goes further than it should. Plenty of players — John McEnroe and Jimmy Connors, even Lleyton Hewitt and Federer early in their careers — displayed a bad attitude but remain popular and respected. So does Djokovic deserve the disdain of the tennis world?

In light of his incredible mental resolve, unmatched consistency and skill, and seemingly genuine attempts to champion lower-ranked players, probably not. He is known for taking the time to greet every fan who waits to meet him and mentor up-and-coming players.

You certainly don’t have to love him, and his critics make valid points, but at the very least he deserves your respect. 

Do you detest Djokovic? Are crowds right to dislike him, or is there something else at play? Let us know by writing to letters@crikey.com.au. Please remember to include your full name to be considered for publication.

Josefine Ganko is a final year student at ANU… and a huge tennis fan.