3 times fellow players voiced their anger at Novak Djokovic ft. Andy Roddick
Tennis is generally referred to as a 'gentlemen's game', but that doesn't stop players from giving their honest opinion about their colleagues' antics or behavior. There have been a few interviews over the years with controversial moments, where players have spoken up against another player on or off the court.
World No. 1 Novak Djokovic is a player who has often received flak from his peers, despite being one of the greatest to have ever played the game. As celebrated as the Serb has been, he has also received his share of criticism from players and spectators alike, sometimes through no fault of his own.
On that note, here is a look at 3 times Djokovic was criticized by his fellow players:
#1 Joao Sousa criticized Novak Djokovic's vaccination debacle at the 2022 Australian Open
Portuguese player Joao Sousa was unhappy with Novak Djokovic for trying to flout the COVID-19 vaccination norms of Australia. Sousa dubbed the Serbian star 'selfish' for receiving an exemption from the vaccination before he was eventually deported.
Sousa, who was playing in the qualification rounds of the Australian Open at the time, stated his displeasure at Djokovic's anti-vaccination stance.
" I respect that he fights for what he believes and I can be empathetic with what he is going through in Australia, but it's a bit selfish from him to arrive here as the only player unvaccinated. It's tough for us players to accept that," he said.
Sousa further stated that other players who were unwilling to get the vaccine had to give in if they wanted to play, which made the World No. 1's medical exemption appear unfair.
"Many players, not my case, didn't want to get vaccinated and were forced to do it to be able to play tournaments. He is finding a way around those rules," the Portuguese added.
#2 Nick Kyrgios once said he 'can't stand' Novak Djokovic
Australian star Nick Kyrgios was one of Novak Djokovic's harshest critics a few years ago. Kyrgios, labeled 'the bad boy of tennis', has never held back while giving his opinion about various players on tour.
In the recent past Kyrgios has openly supported Djokovic on many occasions, but he did not feel the same way in 2019. While being interviewed by Ben Rothenberg on his podcast, Kyrgios called out the 35-year-old for supposedly having an obsession with being liked.
" He has a sick obsession with wanting to be liked - I just can't stand him," Kyrgios said.
He also touched upon the World No. 1's 'cringeworthy' post-match celebrations.
"This whole celebration thing that he does after matches, it’s like so cringeworthy. It’s very cringeworthy," he added.
The duo have buried the hatchet since the Serb's controversy at the 2022 Australian Open, where Kyrgios was one of the few players to support him.
"I wasn't his favorite guy - let's take it that way - for many years. But he was one of the very few that stood by me last year, and I respect that and appreciate that. He was giving me undivided support in the moments where I was being challenged a lot, and him as an Australian, I respected that a lot. Since then, our relationship has changed for better," Djokovic said about Kyrgios last month.
#3 Andy Roddick was once unsure if Novak Djokovic's injuries were real
At the 2008 US Open, American tennis player Andy Roddick seemed unsure if Novak Djokovic's injuries were real or not.
When asked about Djokovic's physical issues during a press conference at the New York Major, Roddick, who was set to play the Serb in the quarterfinals, replied with sarcasm. The reporter mentioned Djokovic's left and right ankle injuries, to which Roddick responded:
"Both of them? and the back? and the hip? cramp? bird flu? SARS (virus)? coughing common cold?" Roddick asked.
The reporter then asked the 2003 US Open champion if his opponent was bluffing. Roddick replied that the 22-time Grand Slam champion may just be the most courageous guy of all time if he was playing with so many injuries.
"If its there its there, it's just a lot, he is either quick to call a trainer or he is just the most courageous guy of all time, its for you guy to decide," Roddick joked.
Roddick and Djokovic reportedly even came close to blows after the contest, which ended up going against the American. But they later apologized to each other for the way they had behaved.