🚨 JUST IN: Federer’s confession about failing to respect Djokovic early on reignites debate over how champions are truly recognized before they rise ⚡.NN
In a candid revelation that’s stirring nostalgia among tennis purists, Roger Federer has opened up about his initial underestimation of Novak Djokovic, admitting he overlooked the Serb’s potential due to perceived technical shortcomings. The 20-time Grand Slam champion shared these reflections in behind-the-scenes footage from his upcoming documentary Roger: Twelve Final Days, offering a rare peek into the mindset of the sport’s golden era icons. As Federer prepares to relive his final Wimbledon moments, his words underscore the fierce, evolving rivalry that defined a generation—and why Djokovic, now a 24-time major winner himself, ultimately proved him wrong.
The story begins in the sun-drenched clay courts of the 2006 Monte-Carlo Masters, Federer’s first clash with the then-18-year-old Djokovic. As World No. 1, Federer dispatched the qualifier—representing Serbia and Montenegro—in a gritty three-setter: 6-3, 2-6, 6-3. Walking off the court, Federer wasn’t sold on the hype buzzing around the young pretender. “Even though there was some hype around him, I wasn’t really fully convinced,” Federer recalled. He pinpointed what he saw as glaring flaws: an “extreme forehand grip” and a backhand that “wasn’t as fluid as it is nowadays.” In his own words, “I think I didn’t give Novak the respect he deserved because of his technical flaws. But then he ironed those things out super well and became an unbelievable monster of a player.” Federer advanced to the final that week but fell to Rafael Nadal, while Djokovic’s star was just beginning to flicker.
This admission paints a picture of early friction in what would become one of tennis’s most storied rivalries. Over 50 ATP Tour meetings, Djokovic holds a 27-23 edge, including a dominant run in their last seven encounters—capped by his straight-sets demolition of Federer in the 2020 Australian Open semifinals. Djokovic, ever the introspective champion, echoed the sentiment from his side during a 2024 Australian Open presser. He remembered Federer’s cool reception to his brash confidence: “I know certainly Federer didn’t like the way I was behaving at the beginning. I think it didn’t sit with him well… I was confident, and I felt like I have the game to back it up.” Djokovic’s bold claims of world-beating potential rubbed the old guard the wrong way, but as the years unfolded, so did his game—transforming those “flaws” into weapons of precision and endurance.
Federer’s hindsight is laced with admiration, a far cry from those Monte-Carlo doubts. The Swiss maestro, now 44 and retired since 2022, has long praised Djokovic’s evolution into a “monster” of consistency, especially as the Serb chases a record 25th major at the ongoing ATP Finals. Their bond has thawed into mutual respect, evident in joint exhibitions and Federer’s vocal support during Djokovic’s injury-plagued 2024. This clip from Twelve Final Days—directed by acclaimed filmmaker Asif Kapadia—adds emotional depth to Federer’s swan song, blending vulnerability with the competitive fire that fueled the Big Three era alongside Nadal.
Tennis fans are devouring this slice of history, with #FedererDjokovic flooding X timelines. One viral post quipped: “From ‘technically flawed’ to 24 Slams—Djokovic’s glow-up is the ultimate plot twist.” As the sport shifts toward the Alcaraz-Sinner duopoly, Federer’s confession serves as a reminder: True greatness isn’t born flawless; it’s forged in the fire of doubt. Will Djokovic add another AO title in January to rub it in? Or is this the poetic closure their saga deserves?
This reflective feature draws from the documentary footage and archival quotes. Who’s your GOAT in the Big Three debate? Drop your serve in the comments!
