With his 22nd Grand Slam title at the Australian Open on Sunday, Novak Djokovic moved level with Rafael Nadal and already surpassed Roger Federer (who won 20 major titles). Toni Nadal, who currently coaches Felix Auger-Aliassime, tried to explain why the Serb is not as loved as the other two greats of modern tennis, although he has nothing to prove on the court.

Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger FedererPhoto: UK Sports Pics Ltd / Alamy / Alamy / Profimedia

Toni Nadal believes that Novak Djokovic caused antipathies with his behavior

Rafa’s uncle spoke of the Serb’s “difficult behaviour” and explained that Nole arrived too late: he won his first Grand Slam title at the 2008 Australian Open when Nadal and Federer were already polarizing the tennis world..

“It’s not a problem that worries me too much. I think the problem with him was that he arrived on the circuit when there was already a clear rivalry between Federer and Nadal and people loved that match.

Novak never managed to be as popular as the other two, and his behavior on the court was sometimes a bit more difficult. I have a good relationship with him. Apart from being a great champion, he always had a good relationship with me.

There are people who like Rafael, others who like Federer, and others who like Djokovic. It’s true that hardly anyone hates Federer, and few dislike Rafael. Djokovic probably has more detractors than the other two, but I don’t know exactly why” – Tony Nadal in Vanity Fair.

Expelled a year ago from Australia because he was not vaccinated against Covid-19, Novak Djokovic did not escape scandals even at the 2023 Grand Slam tournament in Melbourne. In addition to many voices denying the veracity of his left hip injury, the Serbian father posed for a photo with several Russian fans holding a Vladimir Putin flag.

Ranking of Grand Slam titles

1. Rafael Nadal / Novak Djokovic 22

3. Roger Federer 20

4. Pete Sampras 14

5. Bjorn Borg 11

6. Jimmy Connors / Ivan Lendl / Andre Agassi 8 etc.

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