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Djokovic Wimbledon 2021
ATP Tennis Players, Novak Djokovic, Rafa Nadal, Roger Federer, Tennis News, Wimbledon

‘I don’t consider myself a bad guy,’ bemused Djokovic shuts down reporter


Following his quarter-final victory, Novak Djokovic had to contend with a journalist who questioned him on how it felt to be the ‘bad guy’ of the sport.

Djokovic, who is chasing a record-equalling 20th Grand Slam title, dispatched Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics 6-3 6-4 6-4 and will face Denis Shapovalov for a place in Sunday’s final.

The Serbian, who will go level with Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer should he lift the Wimbledon title, was asked what has it been like to be the ‘bad guy’ chasing after Nadal and Federer.

“I don’t consider myself a bad guy. I mean, that’s your opinion,” said an unimpressed Djokovic in his post-match press conference.

“I’m not chasing anybody. I’m making my own path and my own journey, my own history. I’m privileged to be part of history of this sport that I love.

“As I said on the court, I know about a lot of stats. I don’t know about all of them. But they do motivate me even more to play my best tennis at the events that count the most in our sport.”

The question posed by the reporter was met was criticism on social media, with Ben Rothenberg saying it was one of the worst opening questions ‘ever heard’ in a press conference.

Djokovic, who celebrated his 100th grass-court victory on Wednesday, will take a 6-0 head-to-head advantage over 22-year-old Shapovalov into their match on Friday.


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Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.