(July 29, 2013) -- Srdjan Djokovic, father of
Novak Djokovic and often a constant presence with his son at many tournaments, gave a revealing interview with a Serbian newspaper where he criticized both
Roger Federer and
Rafael Nadal.
The bulk of the interview features Srdjan Djokovic speaking about the difficulties and sacrifices he and his family made to support Novak Djokovic's dream to become the a world class tennis player. But it is his comments about current ATP players that is generating the most attention.
The elder Djokovic is still not happy with Federer over comments the Swiss star made about Djokovic after a 2006 Davis Cup tie between Serbia and Switzerland. At that time, Federer described Djokovic's constant calls for a trainer during his match versus
Stanislas Wawrinka as "a joke."
Since then, Federer has said he and Djokovic are both
on good terms.
Srdjan Djokovic also said that Novak and Nadal are no longer friends after Djokovic began to win more often against the Spaniard. In an English translation of the Serbian article, it reads:
"Novak is the only one who behaves the same way in life and sport, says Srdjan. There is no athlete who treats his opponents in the same way when he loses and wins, said Novak's father.
"He also said that Nadal used to be Novak’s best friend while he was winning. But when things changed, they were no longer friends. This is not sport, says Srdjan. This is what Novak has in him, but others don’t. Federer may still be the best tennis player in the history of tennis, says Srdjan, but as a man he is completely opposite. He attacked Novak at Davis Cup in Geneva, he realized Novak is his successor and in every way tried to discredit him. Novak’s success is an amazing thing and something that some people simply cannot understand, says Novak’s father."
But Srdjan Djokovic had high praise for
Andy Murray. Djokovic's father said that he has never felt "jealousy" from Murray's family and believe both his son and Murray will remain friends long after their tennis careers end.
"I have never, not even for a second, felt jealousy from Andy’s family, says Srdjan. Andy’s mother went in the locker room, in Rome, to congratulate Novak, his team and family. They cannot be best friends, says Srdjan, as they fight for the most important titles, and lot of money. But they are more than correct rivals and Novak’s father is sure that after they finish their professional careers, they will be great friends."
Novak Djokovic, along with Murray, Federer and Nadal, are all scheduled to compete at next week's Roger Cup ATP 1000 event in Montreal
.
Source:
InSerbia.Info
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