Djokovic insists he’s not Roger’s enemy
Tennis ace in pursuit of record
London – Novak Djokovic has vowed to convince fans that he is not public enemy number one, even if he surpasses people’s champion Roger Federer as the greatest Grand Slam title winner of all time.
The world number one saved two match points to clinch a fifth Wimbledon title and 16th major on Sunday, shattering Federer’s bid to become the oldest Grand Slam champion in the longest final ever contested at the tournament. Djokovic is the first man in 71 years to win the title from match points down, saving two in the 16th game of the deciding set.
His major title tally is now just two behind Rafael Nadal and four off the all-time men’s Grand Slam record of
20 held by Federer.
After Sunday’s epic triumph, Djokovic revealed he was able to turn the overwhelmingly pro-Federer, 14,000-strong Centre Court crowd in his favour by training his mind.
“I like to transmutate it in a way: When the crowd is chanting ‘Roger’ I hear ‘Novak’,” said the 32-year-old Djokovic.
“It sounds silly, but it is like that.”
Djokovic has spent the best part of his career in pursuit of Nadal and Federer and attempting to seduce fans sceptical of his character.
For many, he is viewed as too intense, too insincere, too calculating and prone to fads.
Federer and Nadal, in comparison, are treated almost reverentially.
“It’s hard to not be aware of the crowd. You have that kind of electric atmosphere, that kind of noise,” said Djokovic.
“Of course, if you have the majority of the crowd on
your side, it helps. When you don’t, then you have to find it within, I guess.” Djokovic insists he won’t get distracted by the pursuit of Federer’s record haul. “Whether I’m going to be able to do it or not, I don’t know. “I’m not really looking at age as a restriction of any kind for me at least. What I said on the court, I really meant it: Roger really inspires me with his effort at his age.” –