Novak Djokovic ‘is authentic’, ‘completely himself’ and deserves GOAT status

Shahida Jacobs 11 Jul 2023 11:30 AM

A happy Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic is often criticised for being “fake” and doing things “because he wants to be loved”, but a fellow ATP player insists he is “authentic”, “a really nice guy and down to earth”.

Just weeks after winning a record-breaking 23 Grand Slam title during his Roland Garros title run, Djokovic is gunning for an eighth Wimbledon trophy that will see him draw level with Roger Federer’s milestone at SW19. It would also see him equal Margaret Court’s record of 24 majors.

Besides the Grand Slam record, Djokovic leads the way in numerous other categories as has spent an incredible 389 weeks at No 1, has finished the year at No 1 a record seven times, leads his head-to-head against both Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, has won a record 38 ATP Masters 1000 titles and the list goes on and on.

Many, though, still refuse to declare him the greatest tennis player of all time with some saying they prefer Nadal and Federer as they don’t like Djokovic’s personality.

British player Liam Broady, who reached the third round at Wimbledon, feels those “fighting against” the Serbian when it comes to the GOAT status are wasting their time.

“You can’t look past Djokovic, seven-time champion and it’s kind of fated at this point. People have been fighting against him being the GOAT of the sport for so long,” he told talkSPORT Breakfast.

“It’s going to happen and what you fear most you bring into existence.. and that’s what Novak is going to be doing.”

Just recently former Wimbledon doubles champion Frederik Lochte Nielsen claimed Djokovic “tries to be a different person than he is”, but world No 142 Broady refused claims that the 23-time Grand Slam winner is fake.

He added: “I don’t think he does [get the credit he deserves]. Sometimes I don’t think he helps himself with what he says in the press, but he is authentic. He’s completely himself.

“When you speak to him he’s a really nice guy and down to earth. My nieces were at Wimbledon the other day and he was having his lunch. They interrupted him mid-meal and he was happy to take a picture and sign autographs.

“I feel like with a lot of this stuff people only realise what they’ve got when it’s gone.

“Once Novak leaves the sport I think people will realise what he’s done.

“He’s putting [up] Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi numbers but in tennis. I don’t think anyone is going to come close to what he’s achieving.”