Top
Novak Djokovic US Open 2021

‘Misunderstood’ Novak Djokovic will be remembered as ‘greatest player ever’ says pundit


Spanish Analyst Alex Corretja believes that “misunderstood” Novak Djokovic “deserves all the credit as he gives so much, on and off the court.”

In 2021, World number one Djokovic won three of the four Grand Slams and earned a record-breaking seventh Year End number one title, surpassing American Legend Pete Sampras.

Additionally, Djokovic is the youngest of the ‘Big Three’ and enjoyed an injury-free season, unlike Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer who both missed the latter half of the ATP Tour.

As a result, Nadal conceded that Djokovic will likely overtake both himself and Federer in the battle to become the most successful men’s player of all time.

The next Grand Slam is the upcoming Australian Open in January. Federer will definitely miss the ‘Happy Slam’ and potentially Wimbledon as he recovers from knee surgery, whilst Nadal will return from injury when he faces Andy Murray at the ongoing Abu Dhabi Exhibition.

Djokovic’s participation is also doubtful due to him not publicly revealing his Covid-19 vaccination status as players must be double-vaccinated if they wish to play. However, Djokovic was named in both Serbia’s ATP Cup team and the Australian Open entry list.

Corretja told Eurosport that he thinks Djokovic will “be remembered because he will probably be the greatest.

“I think in a way, Novak is a little bit misunderstood all the time. I don’t know if it is because of his character. Probably when he’s on court, he’s doing things that people pretty much don’t understand.

“Roger is elegance. He is like, sweet. Everything comes natural. And Rafa is like, the biggest fighter of the whole history, probably. Novak is different. He can get upset.

“And he’s not thinking like, ‘oh I can’t break the racket because I’m in the middle of 25,000 people and millions watching on TV.’ He just lets his emotions out.

“He deserves all the credit because for me, he’s just giving us so much, on court and off court, that I can only say thank you to him like Roger and Rafa what they bring to our sport.”

? Read >> Breaking tennis news

? Follow >> 24/7 LIVE scores

? Free >> Receive our legendary newsletter

Join >> Tennishead CLUB, the world’s only virtual tennis club

? Social >> Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & YouTube

? Order >> World’s best tennis magazine

? Shop >> Lowest price tennis gear from our trusted retail partner


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.