[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by Rainger99

I have always been surprised that so many people don't like Djokovic. He came up later than Federer or Nadal. Federer won his first slam in 2003 (Wimbledon) and Nadal won his first slam in 2005 (French) and Djokovic didn't win his first until 2008 (Australia).

I always thought that a lot of it was that, by the time Djokovic appeared on the scene, people already liked either Roger or Rafael and that they weren't going to cheer for the new guy - no matter how good he was.

Federer dominated from 2004 to 2009 winning 14 out of 24 slam events. He won his fifth slam when he was 23. Since 2009, he has only won 5 events and has only won 4 after turning 30 in 2011.

Nadal won his fifth slam in 2008 at the age of 22. Over the next 14 years, he won 17 slams and 8 of them were after he turned 30.

Djokovic won his fifth grand slam when he was 24. Since 2011, he has won 20 of the 50 slam events and 12 of his 24 slams were after he turned 30. And if not being banned from playing the Australian Open in 2022 (even though he won it in 2021) and the US Open in 2022 (despite having played it in 2021), he probably would have won at least one of them. He was banned because he refused to be vaccinated for Covid. Whether you approve of vaccination or not, you have to admire an athlete standing up for this beliefs. Since we are talking Paris Olympics, it is sort of like Eric Liddell refusing to run on Sunday at the 1924 Olympics.

Before the Big Three, the record for Grand Slams was held by Pete Sampras who had 14 wins. Federer broke that in 2009. In 2010, Federer had 6 titles, Nadal 6, and Djokovic only 1. After the 2018 French Open, Federer had 20, Nadal 17, and Djokovic only 12 but at the end of 2020, all three had 20 titles. Nadal edged ahead in 2022 when he won the Australian Open (Djokovic was banned from this tournament) for his 21st win and Nadal won his 22 title in 2022 when he won the French Open. Djokovic won the French Open in 2023 to take the lead with his 23rd title and he won his 24th title when he won the 2023 US Open.

He has a winning record against both Federer and Nadal (although they are close) so I would think that people would appreciate that we are seeing the greatest of all time - until someone passes him.

Don’t forget about us open where hit hit lines person. Nobody was going to beat him in that tournament. I figure he lost 3 slams cause of disqualification and Covid. He probably would have 26 slams? IMO Nadal wasn’t going to beat him at Australia open. I remember one final with Federer had match point and hit first serve and the joker nailed winner cross court and ended up winning match. That’s when IMO heads started turning. I also remember early in is career had breathing problems that may of hampered him. Andy Rodick made fun of him but he got beat and joker got last laugh.