A Federer Fan I am not, but.....
Dear Nole Fam:
I enjoy being part of our on-line community and family. I love to talk about tennis, and above all, I love discussing Novak Djokovic, the person and tennis player. Indeed, this forum often brings out the best in people; their love and admiration for Nole, but at times, in my mind, it brings out the petty small-mindedness that comes with passionate fandom.
Sometimes, it surprises me how much anti-Federer commentary pervades the posts and articles linked to the forum, often having little to do with the original posts....Federer has become the whipping boy of Nole Fam because he often stands so diametrically opposed to Nole’s personality. Mocking and ridiculing Federer because it’s a convenient and ‘safe’ place to do so doesn’t legitimize it, does it?
Don’t get me wrong, I love Nole sincerely with all my heart and he remains my #1 guy because of who he is and what he does on and off the court, but he’s not perfect! God knows our heroes have their flaws and perhaps because of Nole’s imperfections I have grown to love him even more. To me Nole’s best quality is his humility: his awareness of making mistakes, admitting them, apologizing for them and learning from them. Case in point, his willingness to apologize to a ball-boy for unintentionally frightening him when shouting to his box. Even though he didn’t mean to scare the kid, he realized that his reaction caused undue harm and looked to atone for this. Not many professional athletes have the courage or humility to act righteously when being criticized.
I have not fallen victim to the polished, faultless image of Roger Federer that has been so carefully crafted over years of a biased media, drooling sponsors and hypnotized world-wide fan base. Perception often supersedes reality. Federer no doubt has his shortcomings, and he has made some unkind regrettable remarks to Novak over the years. Federer, can be stubborn, a sore loser, uncomplimentary to his opponents and arrogant at his worst. But he can be kind, gracious, and down-to-earth too, if you take him at full value, in my books. He also has an unwavering, inflexible penchant for fair play, which again has brought out the best and worst in him.
Apparently, 2006 Davis Cup (Switzerland vs. Serbia) is where the seeds of mistrust and apathy started between Federer and Novak. Federer called Novak a joke for abusing medical time-outs and not playing by the rules. Novak’s injury time-outs and retirements are well documented in his early playing career, something Federer criticized harshly, but in some fairness, Federer could not have known, that much of Nole’s predicament was a result of improper diet, which all changed in Novak’s glorious 2011 season.
In any case, as a fan of Djokovic, it’s easy to see Federer as the villain, and self-indulgent champion who wouldn’t give any respect to an upstart like Nole, who was challenging his supremacy by playing some close matches with Fed since 2006. And yet this view seems too simplistic. As a Novak fan, but also a tennis and sports fan, I seek to understand the bitterness, hatred or perceived hatred of a rivalry by being as objective as I can about perspectives from both sides. Has Nole been an innocent bystander applauding Roger’s greatness throughout their careers only to be snubbed by the incalcitrant unloving Federer. There must be more to the story. And as many may know, Novak may have not done himself any favours by trying to win over any Federer love by his early impersonations of tennis players, including Fed, as a somewhat cocky, but fun-loving, joking 20 year old phenom. If the impersonations, and Davis Cup incident didn’t already rub Federer the wrong way, then certainly Nole’s parents’ infamous exuberant celebration (“The King is Dead”) of Novak’s Aussie Open win against Federer in 2008 may have irreparably damaged their son’s reputation with the public and his relationship with Federer. I understand the enthusiasm of Nole’s parents and the pure joy of beating the legendary Federer, and all the sweat and tears and sacrafice that go behind such an unbridled celebration but the statement was in poor taste any way you cut it! Federer became annoyed with Nole’s parents not long after in Monte Carlo, where he told them to “BE QUIET!” Not sure if this was justified or not, but clearly, the relationship was on rocky ground.
Most recently, some fans of Novak criticized Federer for not being more gracious toward Nole in their latest Wimbledon battle, which saw Novak wrestle the mantle away a second year in a row from the so-called King of Grass! Some news outlets suggested Federer blamed the loss on a rain delay, which wasn’t exactly true, but Fed admitted that he couldn’t seize any momentum after that. Maybe sour grapes, but his post-match on court comments were quite complimentary, coming from a man who bitterly hates to lose, especially to a rival like Novak who has dominated the sport regularly for the past 4 years. Sure Fed could be more humble, but to criticize a player at his most vulnerable with so much history on the line, one can understand his resistance to gushing over Djokovic with praise! Of course, Nole has always found it much easier to praise his opponents and find kind things to say, though he hasn’t always been perfect in this department either.
Undoubtedly, one of the cheapest and most unsavoury comments Federer ever paid Novak, was at their post-match press conference of the US Open 2011 semi-final, where Novak had just saved two match points by hitting some miraculous forehand return winner that rattled Federer. Federer came undone and went on to lose the remaining 3 games and the match, only a year removed from this déjà-vu experience in 2010 where he couldn’t close out the match against Nole. This was truly one of the most ungracious moments in Fed’s career, by demeaning Novak by hitting a fluky shot, and though it was classless, part of me understands the bitter disappointment of losing to the same opponent who sort of embarrassed you 2 years in a row, that it was difficult to muster up the kind congratulatory things to say.....who knows if these comments stemmed from a more lingering resentment on Federer’s part from their past and Nole’s family and such.
Federer is no beacon of virtue and sainthood, and yet are his shortcomings so glaring as to warrant vitriole and enmity from a Nole fan base that has had to endure all kinds of hatred and antipathy from a pro-Fed enthusiasts? Novak has no doubt been painted with negative brushstrokes as a brash insolent challenger with the loud obnoxious family by a smitten pro-Fed media and fanbase, and this early perception /image has taken a long time to undo.....like removing one graffiti stain after another off a monument. Thankfully, Novak’s character, attitude and penchant for winning has forced much of an indifferent public to reassess the rival Serb against the established order of Fedal.
But if Djokovic fans feel slighted and offended by the negative portrayal of their Serb Superstar over the years, will a backlash against Federer’s clean-cut image help Nole’s cause? It’s one thing to compare them as tennis players, and their style of game, but it’s another to poke and prod at the other’s integrity and character-- something Nole has been careful to steer clear of with the passing years.
Federer is not immune to weakness and vice like any other player on tour, and yet he’s generally well liked by his peers (see ATP surveys of sportsmanship) even if he’s been less than gracious to some including Nole. Afterall, he’s done a pretty good job of representing himself in the public eye as a tennis statesman and sports icon. A savvy PR firm can assist in projecting the agreeable persona too. He’s not succumbed to the temptations of fame like another sports legend, Tiger Woods, whose personal transgressions have been well documented. He met his future wife at a young age and had four kids with her, all the while managing to stay healthy and relevant on tennis’s grandest stages at the ripe old age of nearly 34. He has stated often he hates to lose and has difficulty giving credit to those who beat him, but has come a long way from the petulant teen who threw racquets and swore on court. When one has become so accustomed to winning, one almost convinces oneself of one’s own invincibility, but Federer perhaps was forced to acknowledge his own mortality and inferiority when it came to losing to Rafa consistently—this made him appreciate winning championships that much more. Whether or not Djokovic and Federer truly dislike each other as Becker insinuates in his book, it’s up for debate as to what they both truly feel. Perhaps, Novak divulges dark secrets of his dislike for Federer over a game of chess with his outspoken German coach, but Novak seems too mature to whine about a man that he has openly admired for many years and says has helped him overcome adversity and become a better player and person. Can we take Novak’s statements at face value? Sure, he seems to have a healthy dose of respect for Federer despite their misunderstandings over their career. Afterall, Novak ever the peace-maker, approached Federer a year ago for fatherhood advice, and Fed obliged. If one simply goes by what they’ve said publicly of each other since 2011, one would tend to believe that they’ve warmed to each other, or at the very least, Federer has accepted Novak’s growing stature in the game and respects his fair play. Recently, after Halle, Fed responded to Becker’s provocative comments by saying: "It is well known that I initially had problems with Novak's manner on court but now he behaves wonderfully and fairly. I have no problem with Novak. "Of course I don't like what he said - after all [Becker] was once my idol." Perhaps, the fact that Federer’s former idol, is now his biggest rival’s coach and making antagonizing remarks about him, stung Fed’s pride and has soured their relationship once more, but again, should this matter to Novak, or to his fans?
Having said all this, I hope I’m not defending Roger Federer or trying to persuade anyone that they should like him, so to speak, but rather understand the context of their history and rivalry, and see that both players have made their mistakes and neither is without fault. One might wonder as a casual outsider reading fan forums of Novak Djokovic, that he was the one that lost Wimbledon, and that his supporters where bitterly disappointed and disparaging Federer for a lucky victory, but Novak indeed won and his fans should unabashedly celebrate all his achievements and extol his virtues. Many supporters of Novak will often say they wish not to compare Federer to Novak as tennis players, because their careers are not over, and yet they compare their character and personality, praising their hero, while belittling the other. I understand that fan forums are places to express freely one’s opinion and a place to vent frustrations, but sometimes the anti-Federer commentary borders on the frenzied negative political attack ads during election time, and may breed apathy and turn away some fans/voters. Anyways, sorry for my rant, but I enjoy pro-Nole talk more than anti-Federer talk, and yes there is a fine line between criticism and cynicism, and that’s JUST MY OPINION ..... :)
Dear Nole Fam:
I enjoy being part of our on-line community and family. I love to talk about tennis, and above all, I love discussing Novak Djokovic, the person and tennis player. Indeed, this forum often brings out the best in people; their love and admiration for Nole, but at times, in my mind, it brings out the petty small-mindedness that comes with passionate fandom.
Sometimes, it surprises me how much anti-Federer commentary pervades the posts and articles linked to the forum, often having little to do with the original posts....Federer has become the whipping boy of Nole Fam because he often stands so diametrically opposed to Nole’s personality. Mocking and ridiculing Federer because it’s a convenient and ‘safe’ place to do so doesn’t legitimize it, does it?
Don’t get me wrong, I love Nole sincerely with all my heart and he remains my #1 guy because of who he is and what he does on and off the court, but he’s not perfect! God knows our heroes have their flaws and perhaps because of Nole’s imperfections I have grown to love him even more. To me Nole’s best quality is his humility: his awareness of making mistakes, admitting them, apologizing for them and learning from them. Case in point, his willingness to apologize to a ball-boy for unintentionally frightening him when shouting to his box. Even though he didn’t mean to scare the kid, he realized that his reaction caused undue harm and looked to atone for this. Not many professional athletes have the courage or humility to act righteously when being criticized.
I have not fallen victim to the polished, faultless image of Roger Federer that has been so carefully crafted over years of a biased media, drooling sponsors and hypnotized world-wide fan base. Perception often supersedes reality. Federer no doubt has his shortcomings, and he has made some unkind regrettable remarks to Novak over the years. Federer, can be stubborn, a sore loser, uncomplimentary to his opponents and arrogant at his worst. But he can be kind, gracious, and down-to-earth too, if you take him at full value, in my books. He also has an unwavering, inflexible penchant for fair play, which again has brought out the best and worst in him.
Apparently, 2006 Davis Cup (Switzerland vs. Serbia) is where the seeds of mistrust and apathy started between Federer and Novak. Federer called Novak a joke for abusing medical time-outs and not playing by the rules. Novak’s injury time-outs and retirements are well documented in his early playing career, something Federer criticized harshly, but in some fairness, Federer could not have known, that much of Nole’s predicament was a result of improper diet, which all changed in Novak’s glorious 2011 season.
In any case, as a fan of Djokovic, it’s easy to see Federer as the villain, and self-indulgent champion who wouldn’t give any respect to an upstart like Nole, who was challenging his supremacy by playing some close matches with Fed since 2006. And yet this view seems too simplistic. As a Novak fan, but also a tennis and sports fan, I seek to understand the bitterness, hatred or perceived hatred of a rivalry by being as objective as I can about perspectives from both sides. Has Nole been an innocent bystander applauding Roger’s greatness throughout their careers only to be snubbed by the incalcitrant unloving Federer. There must be more to the story. And as many may know, Novak may have not done himself any favours by trying to win over any Federer love by his early impersonations of tennis players, including Fed, as a somewhat cocky, but fun-loving, joking 20 year old phenom. If the impersonations, and Davis Cup incident didn’t already rub Federer the wrong way, then certainly Nole’s parents’ infamous exuberant celebration (“The King is Dead”) of Novak’s Aussie Open win against Federer in 2008 may have irreparably damaged their son’s reputation with the public and his relationship with Federer. I understand the enthusiasm of Nole’s parents and the pure joy of beating the legendary Federer, and all the sweat and tears and sacrafice that go behind such an unbridled celebration but the statement was in poor taste any way you cut it! Federer became annoyed with Nole’s parents not long after in Monte Carlo, where he told them to “BE QUIET!” Not sure if this was justified or not, but clearly, the relationship was on rocky ground.
Most recently, some fans of Novak criticized Federer for not being more gracious toward Nole in their latest Wimbledon battle, which saw Novak wrestle the mantle away a second year in a row from the so-called King of Grass! Some news outlets suggested Federer blamed the loss on a rain delay, which wasn’t exactly true, but Fed admitted that he couldn’t seize any momentum after that. Maybe sour grapes, but his post-match on court comments were quite complimentary, coming from a man who bitterly hates to lose, especially to a rival like Novak who has dominated the sport regularly for the past 4 years. Sure Fed could be more humble, but to criticize a player at his most vulnerable with so much history on the line, one can understand his resistance to gushing over Djokovic with praise! Of course, Nole has always found it much easier to praise his opponents and find kind things to say, though he hasn’t always been perfect in this department either.
Undoubtedly, one of the cheapest and most unsavoury comments Federer ever paid Novak, was at their post-match press conference of the US Open 2011 semi-final, where Novak had just saved two match points by hitting some miraculous forehand return winner that rattled Federer. Federer came undone and went on to lose the remaining 3 games and the match, only a year removed from this déjà-vu experience in 2010 where he couldn’t close out the match against Nole. This was truly one of the most ungracious moments in Fed’s career, by demeaning Novak by hitting a fluky shot, and though it was classless, part of me understands the bitter disappointment of losing to the same opponent who sort of embarrassed you 2 years in a row, that it was difficult to muster up the kind congratulatory things to say.....who knows if these comments stemmed from a more lingering resentment on Federer’s part from their past and Nole’s family and such.
Federer is no beacon of virtue and sainthood, and yet are his shortcomings so glaring as to warrant vitriole and enmity from a Nole fan base that has had to endure all kinds of hatred and antipathy from a pro-Fed enthusiasts? Novak has no doubt been painted with negative brushstrokes as a brash insolent challenger with the loud obnoxious family by a smitten pro-Fed media and fanbase, and this early perception /image has taken a long time to undo.....like removing one graffiti stain after another off a monument. Thankfully, Novak’s character, attitude and penchant for winning has forced much of an indifferent public to reassess the rival Serb against the established order of Fedal.
But if Djokovic fans feel slighted and offended by the negative portrayal of their Serb Superstar over the years, will a backlash against Federer’s clean-cut image help Nole’s cause? It’s one thing to compare them as tennis players, and their style of game, but it’s another to poke and prod at the other’s integrity and character-- something Nole has been careful to steer clear of with the passing years.
Federer is not immune to weakness and vice like any other player on tour, and yet he’s generally well liked by his peers (see ATP surveys of sportsmanship) even if he’s been less than gracious to some including Nole. Afterall, he’s done a pretty good job of representing himself in the public eye as a tennis statesman and sports icon. A savvy PR firm can assist in projecting the agreeable persona too. He’s not succumbed to the temptations of fame like another sports legend, Tiger Woods, whose personal transgressions have been well documented. He met his future wife at a young age and had four kids with her, all the while managing to stay healthy and relevant on tennis’s grandest stages at the ripe old age of nearly 34. He has stated often he hates to lose and has difficulty giving credit to those who beat him, but has come a long way from the petulant teen who threw racquets and swore on court. When one has become so accustomed to winning, one almost convinces oneself of one’s own invincibility, but Federer perhaps was forced to acknowledge his own mortality and inferiority when it came to losing to Rafa consistently—this made him appreciate winning championships that much more. Whether or not Djokovic and Federer truly dislike each other as Becker insinuates in his book, it’s up for debate as to what they both truly feel. Perhaps, Novak divulges dark secrets of his dislike for Federer over a game of chess with his outspoken German coach, but Novak seems too mature to whine about a man that he has openly admired for many years and says has helped him overcome adversity and become a better player and person. Can we take Novak’s statements at face value? Sure, he seems to have a healthy dose of respect for Federer despite their misunderstandings over their career. Afterall, Novak ever the peace-maker, approached Federer a year ago for fatherhood advice, and Fed obliged. If one simply goes by what they’ve said publicly of each other since 2011, one would tend to believe that they’ve warmed to each other, or at the very least, Federer has accepted Novak’s growing stature in the game and respects his fair play. Recently, after Halle, Fed responded to Becker’s provocative comments by saying: "It is well known that I initially had problems with Novak's manner on court but now he behaves wonderfully and fairly. I have no problem with Novak. "Of course I don't like what he said - after all [Becker] was once my idol." Perhaps, the fact that Federer’s former idol, is now his biggest rival’s coach and making antagonizing remarks about him, stung Fed’s pride and has soured their relationship once more, but again, should this matter to Novak, or to his fans?
Having said all this, I hope I’m not defending Roger Federer or trying to persuade anyone that they should like him, so to speak, but rather understand the context of their history and rivalry, and see that both players have made their mistakes and neither is without fault. One might wonder as a casual outsider reading fan forums of Novak Djokovic, that he was the one that lost Wimbledon, and that his supporters where bitterly disappointed and disparaging Federer for a lucky victory, but Novak indeed won and his fans should unabashedly celebrate all his achievements and extol his virtues. Many supporters of Novak will often say they wish not to compare Federer to Novak as tennis players, because their careers are not over, and yet they compare their character and personality, praising their hero, while belittling the other. I understand that fan forums are places to express freely one’s opinion and a place to vent frustrations, but sometimes the anti-Federer commentary borders on the frenzied negative political attack ads during election time, and may breed apathy and turn away some fans/voters. Anyways, sorry for my rant, but I enjoy pro-Nole talk more than anti-Federer talk, and yes there is a fine line between criticism and cynicism, and that’s JUST MY OPINION ..... :)