Novak Djokovic’s latest act of kindness confirms he deserves acclaim – but it will never come his way

Kevin Palmer 12 Dec 2024 8:40 PM

Novak Djokovic shows his love to the crowd

As Novak Djokovic flew halfway around the world to play an exhibition match for Juan Martin del Porto, the latest act of kindness was served up by the most successful tennis player of all time.

Djokovic didn’t need to be in Argentina to play a match against a former rival who had long since given up on his dream of a return to tennis, but his presence highlighted the respect the Serbian had for Del Porto.

Yet even as Djokovic was flying to Argentina to entertain tennis fans and salute their local hero, votes were being cast for the ATP Fans’ Favourite award and once again, the greatest player of them all was nowhere to be seen in the vote.

Roger Federer dominated this award during his time in the game, but Djokovic might have been hoping to get into the mix once the enduringly popular Swiss maestro retired.

Instead, the award flipped to his great rival and now on to the next generation, with Jannik Sinner winning it for a second successive year even after he failed a drug test in March.

Djokovic may have realised long away that he would never win popularity contests, but he remains the biggest name in tennis and could at least expect to be nominated for this award and allow his fans around the world to cast their vote for him.

Yet whatever this great champion does on or off the court he is destined to be viewed as an outsider in the popularity stakes, with former world No 1 Andy Roddick among those bemused by his enduring status as an outsider.

“This isn’t surprising from him,” said Roddick. “As much as any of us have disagreed with him, we have to call it fair. He is the best of all-time and he is consistently capable of doing these really nice and decent things over and over again with people he has shared a court with.”

Respect is overflowing for Djokovic inside tennis, but the controversies that have been part of his story have darkened his image to those who only follow the sport when the mood takes them.

The controversy over his stance on Covid vaccines was the breaking point for many with Djokovic and even if many will argue he was right to take that position, the perception that he was a symbol of the anti-vax movement was hard for many to overlook.

Of course, Djokovic did not advise anyone else not to take a Covid vaccine and he paid a heavy price for his decision, with his Grand Slam total likely to have a few more notches on it if he took another route.

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Yet that may not be the reason why he is booed and jeered when he plays at Wimbledon.

Here is a seven-time champion at the All England Club who should have a red carpet rolled out for him every time he plays at the greatest tournament of them all, but instead he is still trying to silence his doubters.

Fans at Wimbledon have tended to cheer for anyone Djokovic is playing, even if that person is not British and even if they have never heard of the opponent.

That is a curious stance to take against a player who has proved conclusively he is the greatest of all-time and should now be on a lap of honour collecting the applause in recognition for all he has done for tennis.

“The amount of pressure and stress is so much higher if you have the crowd against you,” he said last year.

“For most of my career, it was mostly hostile environments for me. I kind of learned how to thrive in that environment.

“Some people think that it’s actually better if they don’t like me so that it kind of gets the best out of me in terms of tennis. It did happen

“At the same time, I actually enjoy more being in an environment where, you know, I have nice, nice support.”

Djokovic probably knew long ago that he is destined to never win the ATP Fans’ Favourite award and while he admits the criticism he receives hurts, his trophy cabinet and bank balance are ample compensation for his lack of popularity.

Yet he will be hoping that at some stage in what may be the final year of his career in 2025, fans give him the respect he is surely due.