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My Conversation With An Illogical Djokovic Hater
2 Comments · Posted by Scoop Malinowski in Articles, Scoop

I have a friend/colleague in the tennis media. This person has been a friend for about a decade now, we first met at US Open and started to play matches for years. He played Division 1 NCAA tennis and has worked in the media as a network sports anchor and reporter, so talented that he actually won an Emmy Award for his reporting skills.
However, my friend has one bizarre flaw – he doesn’t like Novak Djokovic. I have known this for years and still can’t understand the reason or reasons for it.
We actually had a discussion about it recently and here it is for your analysis and interpretation…
Me: I thought it was brilliant by Djokovic to snub Jim Courier interview for Channel 9 which mocked him and his fans earlier in the week.
Hater: Love the Australian reporter (Tony Jones) for calling out Novak. Now is crunch time in Australia. Time for Novak to lose.
Me: You must hate Novak to say that.
Hater: Of course. Like 50% of the people. 50% despise Novak.
Me: Can you explain what your hatred is based on?
Hater: He isn’t authentic. He deserves a wake up call. He isn’t helping tennis by being around.
Me: You are delusional. He’s the best thing that ever happened for tennis and all of sport. He is the greatest, most inspiring champion in the history of sport. Amazing how he conquered Federer, Nadal and the tennis establishment.
Hater: He is a loser.
Me: Ultimate winner. You’re hatred is dysfunctional.
Hater: He is a loser. Can’t wait for him to retire and be forgotten.
Me: Can you articulate why you hate him?
Hater: He isn’t authentic. He deserves a wake up call.
My “friend” is a strange bird but we won’t get personal. All I can say at this point is, for anyone to not appreciate the example of tennis played by Djokovic and all that he stands for about sticking to his beliefs and values and overcoming all the odds and a vicious, character assassination agenda driven media monster, it’s sadly your misfortune if you don’t like Novak Djokovic, the greatest of all time.
Australian Open · Head Speed Pro · Lacoste Tennis · Novak Djokovic
catherine · February 3, 2025 at 3:20 am
Came late to this one. It’s odd to say the least but reminds me of other irrational hates – most recent of course being Raducanu but years ago could have included BJK and McEnroe, although John did provide excuses…Sampras wasn’t too popular either for no particular reason except ‘boring’.
Some fans project a bit.
Scoop Malinowski · February 3, 2025 at 7:16 am
Catherine, who hates any player here? just because they can’t win or don’t win anymore doesn’t equate to hate, it’s honest blunt analysis to say it. some players burn out early, some players lose confidence and never can rebuild it. Raducanu hopefully will someday prove her doubters and skeptics wrong.