5 controversial things Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic have said about each other over the years

5 Controversial Things Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic Have Said About Each Other Over the Years

Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, two of the greatest players in tennis history, share a rivalry that spans more than a decade. While the competition between them has provided some of the most memorable moments in tennis, it has also led to moments of tension. Both Federer and Djokovic have, at times, made comments about each other that sparked controversy or debate among fans and media. Here are five instances where things got heated between these two legends.

Federer’s “Djokovic has a weak spot” Comment (2006)

One of the earliest instances of tension came in 2006 when Federer commented on Djokovic’s stamina, suggesting that Djokovic was weaker than other top players. Federer stated that Djokovic seemed to struggle physically in long matches, which at the time was partly true as Djokovic had a reputation for retiring from matches due to physical issues. This comment, however, was seen as a psychological jab, one that perhaps hinted at Federer not seeing Djokovic as a long-term threat back then.

Djokovic later proved this criticism wrong as he became one of the fittest players on tour, frequently outlasting Federer and other rivals in grueling matches.D

Djokovic’s”I was never his favorite” Comment (2013)

In 2013, Djokovic was candid about his feelings regarding Federer. In an interview, Djokovic mentioned that he never felt like Federer truly liked him, particularly during their early rivalry. He suggested that Federer had shown more support towards Rafael Nadal and other players on the tour rather than him. This remark was one of the few times Djokovic publicly opened up about feeling somewhat alienated among his fellow “Big Three.”

Though Federer remained mostly diplomatic in his responses, this statement underscored an undercurrent of personal rivalry between them that added to the drama in their matches.

  Federer’s”Fake Injuries” Accusation (2011)

Perhaps the most infamous moment of tension occurred after their 2011 Australian Open semifinal. Federer, in a post-match press conference, alluded to Djokovic using fake injuries to gain a psychological advantage during matches. Federer expressed frustration with Djokovic’s frequent medical timeouts and retirements, implying that these were tactical rather than genuine issues.

Djokovic responded by asserting that he had always played with integrity and had never faked an injury, calling the comments disrespectful. This exchange fueled debates among fans, with many seeing it as a turning point in their rivalry, as Djokovic was starting to challenge Federer’s dominance more consistently.

Djokovic on Federer’s Fan Support (2019 Wimbledon)

The 2019 Wimbledon final was one of the most iconic matches between Federer and Djokovic, with Djokovic winning in a historic fifth-set tiebreaker. Afterward, Djokovic opened up about feeling that the majority of the crowd was heavily in favor of Federer. Djokovic admitted that he used the negative energy to fuel his performance, saying, “When the crowd is chanting ‘Roger,’ I hear ‘Novak.'”

This statement drew attention to the fact that Federer has often had more fan support than Djokovic, especially in high-stakes matches. Djokovic’s remark pointed out the challenges he faced as a player who didn’t enjoy the same global adoration as Federer, even when winning the biggest matches.

Federer’s Subtle Critique of Djokovic’s Consistency (2015)

In 2015, after Djokovic had a dominant season, Federer made a subtle dig about Djokovic’s ability to maintain his form over several seasons. Federer stated that it was one thing to have a great year, but another to stay consistently on top for multiple years, hinting that Djokovic might not sustain his dominance.

This comment came at a time when Djokovic was establishing himself as a long-term rival to Federer and Nadal, and it seemed to question whether Djokovic had the staying power to challenge Federer’s legacy. As time has shown, Djokovic not only matched but surpassed Federer in several key areas, including Grand Slam titles.

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While the rivalry between Federer and Djokovic has always been respectful on the court, these moments of tension and controversy have added a layer of drama to their encounters. Both players have had their say, with Federer sometimes taking the role of the established champion and Djokovic the challenger seeking to disrupt the old order. As both continue to shape the history of tennis, their words, like their matches, have left an indelible mark on the sport.