Tim Henman reckons Novak Djokovic “craves” something Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer have always had (Image: Getty)
Novak Djokovic is jealous of and despite clinching more Grand Slam titles than the iconic pair. That’s according to , who thinks the Serbian “craves the affection” that Federer and Nadal receive from crowds around the globe.
, 37, was after retiring just one set into his semi-final against last month due to . Throughout the tournament, fans inside the Rod Laver Arena had given the 24-time Grand Slam champion a hostile reception, with jeers echoing before, during and after points.
Speaking to Express Sport, former British No. 1 Henman said the abuse Djokovic suffered was “indefensible”, but acknowledged that the Belgrade native often doesn’t do himself any favours. “I think the fans got it totally wrong,” he said.
“For someone who is going for their 11th title, their 25th slam, to pull out after a set, he’s obviously in a bad way. For him to be booed in that moment is pretty indefensible.
“However, I’m not on social media, but what I hear goes on with him and his fans, it’s chaos isn’t it. And there have been times when he’s probably attracted that. But he absolutely doesn’t deserve to be booed off court after he’s had to retire.”
Henman also suggested that Djokovic’s antagonistic behaviour might stem from his frustration at not being as universally adored as Nadal and Federer. “I think if you dig a bit deeper, in my opinion, he’s always craved the affection that’s been shown to Federer and Nadal,” the 50-year-old added.
Tin Henman thought the abuse Novak Djokovic suffered in Melbourne was “indefensible” (Image: Getty)
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“And some people, I guess, don’t like that, that he behaves in that way. But that whole thing isn’t really my scene. You look at what he’s achieved, you look at almost every stat and he’s the best in all of them. He’s phenomenal.”
Djokovic has always had a complicated relationship with fans, with his on-court swagger and relentless competitiveness often dividing opinion. While some admire his intensity and unbreakable will, others find his demeanour abrasive, particularly when compared to Federer and Nadal.
However, tensions truly escalated during the , when his stance made him a polarising figure beyond the sport. Since then, the hostility toward him has only grown, and now, almost everywhere he plays, he finds himself cast as tennis’ ultimate villain.
Novak Djokovic was showered with abuse during the Australian Open (Image: Getty)
Djokovic holds the record for the most major titles of any male player in history and needs just one more to surpass Margaret Court, making him statistically the most successful tennis player ever. However, time is running out, and with injuries piling up and his physical limits being tested, 2025 could be a case of now or never.
Henman, who lost his one and only encounter with Djokovic back in 2006, reached six Grand Slam semi-finals over the course of his career, but never made it to a final. He did, however, win 11 ATP singles titles, and spent eight consecutive years as British No. 1 before being surpassed by a young in 2005.
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