"Had Roger Federer done what Novak Djokovic did at US Open, he wouldn't have been disqualified": When Serb's ex-coach felt his success 'hurt the West'
Novak Djokovic's former coach Nikola Pilic said in an old interview that the Serb's success "hurt the West." These comments came in 2021, when Djokovic won the Australian Open, the French Open and Wimbledon, before losing in the US Open final.
Pilic is a former tennis player, who reached the final of the 1973 French Open and won the 1970 US Open in men's doubles. Djokovic joined his academy in Germany at the age of 12. Pilic also coached Serbia to Davis Cup victory in 2010.
While speaking in an interview in 2021, the Croat said that Djokovic's success hurt the West. He also referred to the Serb's disqualification from US Open 2020 after hitting a lineswoman, claiming that Roger Federer would not have endured that had he done the same thing.
"I think his success has hurt the West in a different way. By their understanding of things, the level Djokovic has reached was reserved for someone from the West; and then comes a guy from a small country to dominate the world of tennis. Had Roger Federer done what Djokovic did at the US Open 2020, he would not have been disqualified. (The West) has a problem with Djokovic being the best," Pilic told Croatian newspaper Vecernji list, as quoted by Tennis Majors.
Novak Djokovic claimed his achievements would be glorified in the West if he wasn't from Serbia
Novak Djokovic won his 24th Grand Slam title at US Open 2023 after beating Daniil Medvedev in the final. This saw the Serb set a new record for the most number of singles majors won in the Open Era while also equaling Margaret Court's tally of 24 Grand Slam titles.
Following his triumph at the New York major in 2023, he spoke to Serbian media and was asked if he felt he was the greatest athlete of all time. The then-36-year-old responded by saying that while he would leave the answer of that question to others, his achievements would have been celebrated more in the West if he did not hail from Serbia.
"I leave that up to you and everyone else, whether or not I deserve to be part of that discussion... but one thing is a fact, though – if I wasn’t from Serbia, I’d have been glorified on a sporting level many years ago, especially in the West," the Serb said, as quoted by Tennis Majors.
"But, well, it's part of my life's journey, I'm grateful that I come from Serbia. It gives me faith and hope, that's why everything I achieve is sweeter and fulfills me even more," he added.
Novak Djokovic hasn't won a single Grand Slam in 2024, making this season his first without a major since 2017. The Serb had a disappointing title defense at US Open 2024, where he lost to Alexei Popyrin in the third round.
He recently helped his nation qualify for the Davis Cup qualifying round in 2025, winning both of his singles matches in his team's tie against Greece.