24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic has admitted that his journey to the top of world tennis has been shaped by moments of doubt, regret, and emotional struggle, MySportDab Reports.
In a candid interview for the show Failures of Champions, the Serbian tennis icon reflected on his complicated legacy and often uneasy standing among fans compared to Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
“I’ve never been as admired and loved as Federer and Nadal because I just wasn’t meant to be there,” Djokovic confessed. “I was the little guy, the third guy who came in and said, ‘I’m going to be number one,’ and a lot of people didn’t like that.”
Now 38, Djokovic is nearing the twilight of his career. Following his semi-final finish at the 2025 French Open, he hinted that it could be his last appearance in Paris. His journey began in 2008 with his first Grand Slam title—by then, Federer had already won 10, and Nadal three.
Despite surpassing both with a record 24 major titles, Djokovic revealed he often felt like “an unwanted child” among the revered Big Three. “It hurt me,” he admitted. “For a while, I thought fans would accept me if I acted differently. But even that didn’t help.”
The Serb also acknowledged past controversies that impacted his popularity, including his disqualification from the 2020 US Open and criticism during the COVID-19 pandemic. “I’m a man with many flaws, but I’ve always tried to live with an open heart,” he said.
While his rivalry with Federer and Nadal was fierce, Djokovic emphasized his deep respect for both. “I’ve never said a bad word about them, and I never will,” he concluded. “I always got along better with Nadal.”
