(Photo by Thomas Samson/AFP via Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal may have inadvertently sparked a debate about Novak Djokovic’s true motivation to win 24 Grand Slams. Nadal could be suggesting that Djokovic is obsessed with surpassing the number of majors won by Nadal and Roger Federer, as Djokovic won’t be as well-liked as the Swiss or Spaniard. Serena Williams’ former coach Rennae Stubbs has weighed in on the controversy and said Djokovic had an “obsession” that led to tennis superstar Chris Evert (Chris Evert) Disparaging Stubbs.
Sounds a bit messy, doesn’t it? I don’t think Nadal meant to belittle Djokovic—Nadal also said Djokovic was the greatest player of all time—when he said of Djokovic, “You can’t do it because of 22 Being frustrated by a Grand Slam title. Can you endure the frustration of 22 Grand Slams? For example, Novak’s life is more intense. If there is no success, it will be a greater frustration for him. Maybe this is him the key to success.”
Nadal might just mean that Djokovic is more motivated to succeed over a longer period of time than either Nadal or Federer. This will to succeed is worthy of admiration, not ridicule. But Rene Stubbs must have thought Nadal was criticizing Djokovic.
Chris Evert feels she needs to praise Novak Djokovic, and she’s right (of course!)
“I think Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal are definitely guys who want to win a lot, but Novak is not interested in that,” Stubbs said on her podcast, The René Stubbs Tennis Podcast. It’s fascinating, you can see that. “He wanted to put those numbers out because he knew he wouldn’t be as popular around the world as Roger and Rafa. ” Still, Stubbs said she also admires Djokovic’s drive.
The problem is that the notion that Djokovic is not as popular as Federer and Nadal will never go away. Can’t we just appreciate what Djokovic has accomplished? After winning 24 Grand Slam titles, he deserves it, right?
But Chris Evert wanted to respond to Stubbs’ comments. Former WTA No. 1 Chris Evert tweeted:
Of course, Chris Evert is right. Shouldn’t we stop all the arguments about who is the most beloved of the Big Three? At the end of the day, who do you care? That can’t really be measured, but Novak Djokovic’s 24 Grand Slams can.