Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal favouritism over Novak Djokovic labelled ‘not acceptable’

Daniil Medvedev wins US Open to deny Novak Djokovic calendar Grand Slam

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The US Open final might have ended in defeat for Novak Djokovic, but in one respect the Serb could celebrate a victory, according to former coach Boris Becker. The world no 1 was stunned as a dominant Danii Medvedev beat him 6-4 6-4 6-4, but was also left very emotional at the unfamiliar notion of a supportive crowd vociferously backing him in the latter stages.

Djokovic had pledged to play the game as “if it was his last,” as he sought to move clear of Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer by winning a record breaking 21st Grand Slam win – with the trio all tied on 20.

However, the 34-year-old looked devoid of his usual energy and there were tears in the final set as frustration got the better of him. Further tears followed after the match, as he paid an emotional tribute to the crowd at Flushing Meadows and thanked them for their support.

And Becker, who coached Djokovic from 2013-2016, told Eurosport Germany the perceived favouritism towards Nadal and Federer wasn’t fair.

“I’ve never seen Novak cry on the tennis court. He must have really gone to his limit, or over the limit, emotionally. It is not acceptable that Novak is always the bad guy and Roger and Rafa are always the good guys – that is unfair. I know Novak privately and professionally, and I can only say that he is a fine guy.

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“A competitor who sometimes misbehaves on the court, but who doesn’t?

“The public, including the media, really have to get used to the fact that there are not just two, but three (legends), who have great qualities as players and as individuals.”

Becker, 52, was also full of admiration for Djokovic’s honesty post-match, and said he could understand why the magnitude of the occasion got the better of him.

In the 2020 Us Open, he was instantly disqualified for accidentally hitting a ball at a line judge in his fourth-round match.

At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics this year, which ended in a bronze-medal play-off defeat to Pablo Carreno Busta, he was widely criticised for a series of on-court tantrums, frequently smashing his racket against the ground in his contest with Busta.

However, despite missing out on becoming the first player since Rod Laver in 1969 to complete a calendar Grand Slam, the Serb could at least take solace from Flushing Meadows, appearing to finally win over the tennis public.

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