Former world No 9 offers interesting theory on Novak Djokovic not getting respect from casual fans

Ewan West 20 Dec 2023 4:45 PM

Novak Djokovic close-up at tennis media day

Novak Djokovic of Serbia looks on during a tennis media day

Andrea Petkovic has claimed some casual tennis fans do not give Novak Djokovic “the respect he deserves” because he is so adaptable and does not have one clear style of play.

The former WTA star described Djokovic as a “tactical genius” and “shape-shifter” who “has the skill to execute every single game plan that he makes up.”

Djokovic has drawn praise, particularly in recent years, for his ability to devise and execute a variety of different tactics at the highest level.

While he has long been renowned for his baseline prowess, the Serbian has increasingly utilised net play – including serve-and-volley – with great success in certain matchups.

The world No 1 regularly came to the net behind his serve in his straight-set victory over Daniil Medvedev in the 2023 US Open final as he resoundingly exploited the Russian’s deep return position. This was a game plan Djokovic also implemented effectively against Medvedev in the 2021 Paris Masters final.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion, who continues to develop his game at the age of 36, has been lauded by many analysts and fellow players as the most complete player in tennis history.

Speaking on an episode of The Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast, Petkovic argued Djokovic has a less recognisable style than his great rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal because of his versatility.

“I think the reason people have trouble, or casual tennis fans have trouble giving him the respect that he deserves, is because he doesn’t have a style of play like Roger has or Rafa has,” the 36-year-old German said.

“He is adaptable, that is his style of game – that he is adaptable. Just think about that [2023] US Open final, he played serve-and-volley every second or third point because Medvedev is 17 feet behind the baseline.

“So he adapts, he’s a tactical genius and he has the skill to execute every single game plan that he makes up for himself. And so he adapts to every player. He will grind down a Roger, he will take the ball early against Carlos Alcaraz, he will hit hard against Rafa. And he will beat them.

“And I think because he has that, he’s like water, he flows through your fingers. You try to grab him but you can’t because he’s always different, he’s a shape-shifter.

“I think that’s why it’s difficult for casual tennis fans – and this is really important to stress – because I do think that the tennis fan, the passionate tennis fan has gotten around to the fact that this is the greatest player of all time, maybe the greatest athlete of all time.

“But I think for the casual tennis fan, who just watches the Grand Slams, it’s hard to grasp Novak because he plays so different every time. In art, they would say he’s an artists’ artist, right? Where like, all the artists respect him, but the commercial fanbase is like, ‘what does he have that we don’t?'”

Petkovic, a former world No 9, won seven WTA titles before her retirement in 2022.