Novak's Fatal Flaw

[lindseywagners]

From a pure number's standpoint, what Novak is doing is incredible. Now with 11 Grand Slams, Rafa's 14 and even Fed's 17 appear to be in reach. And there doesn't seem to be an end in sight. Of course, there is, which is the nature of everything, but it will be interesting to see how far he can take this, from a pure number's standpoint.

However, when you take a step back from the numbers and take a look at the completeness of the person, the brand, Novak Djokovic falls short. It's really a marketing problem.

Novak clenched his fist and turned to his camp after winning his 6th Aussie Open. It was a modest but appropriate celebration, considering the match itself wasn't very stimulating. Compare this to Roger and Rafa rolling all over the courts, tears streaming down their faces. They're better campaign posters, better for the highlight videos, just more compelling. Even when Novak has celebrated, it's been weird: ripping his shirt off and screaming like a medieval soldier in some movie.

Novak seems to be a great guy and he is obviously a fantastic tennis player, possibly will be regarded as the greatest someday. However, I don't think his popularity, his "greatness" will ever reach the level of Roger and Rafa.

 

[shawnbm]

An interesting take, and I'll jump in. Novak wins on technical prowess and mental grit. He is like a soldier--he proved that in 2011-2012 when he beat Nadal seven straight times and in three major finals that were arduous and exhausting. He also came from match point down to vanquish Federer in the semis in New York which was unreal. He became a soldier in court as you imply--he's a fighter, which ties in with his background in Belgrade during the war that tore Yugoslavia apart. That is likely instilled in him and certainly his parents have been vociferous and supportive. He was determined ten years ago to dethrone Federer (the king then who was fighting off Nadal and, increasingly, the talented teenager from Serbia) and he set out to do it and did! When he wins he reacts like a soldier winning and screaming and letting it all out. It is different, but no less compelling. He is like Jack Nicklaus following the king, Arnold Palmer--it is a tough act to follow, but his time for adoration and support and great respect has come. Kudos to the Serbian Slayer--well done sir.

 

[Sundaymorningguy]

I think more than anything Novak is being Novak. He has scaled back on the intensity he once had in the past, but he is never going to be the ideal player that Roger and Nadal presented to the public really since the start of their careers. I don't think of it as a flaw per se. I think the more he achieves the stronger his brand grows with the public. Hopefully, he breaks through and wins the French and the Olympic gold. I think that will increase awareness. I also think though it isn't a bad thing that many aren't putting him on the same level as Roger and Nadal at the moment as it makes things easier for him in terms of pressure and being able to achieve things without feeling the noose so to speak of matching records. Look at Serena everyone was like when is she going to get 18 and now everyone is like when is she going to get 22. I am sure she wishes she could fly under the radar like Djokovic seems to be enjoying at the moment without the well when is he going to do this type of stuff.

 

[El Dude]

I much prefer this more mature Novak to the shirt-ripping version. While I don't disagree that he is less popular than Roger and Rafa, it is odd - at least with Rafa, whose surly demeanor is off-putting to many. Novak is friendly, humorous, and one of the class acts in the game when it comes to losing a match. He deserves more, but in a way I think he's got "younger brother syndrome."

 

[nehmeth]

That and the fact that he is the guy who is beating two of the most beloved players in the sport, setting his own records while making his run at history.

 

[Sundaymorningguy]

I think flying under the radar of Nadal and Roger's past achievements works well for him. It certainly makes it easier to achieve things when you aren't being compared to or have people saying well is he going to or isn't he going to do what Nadal or Roger has done.

I think in the past he certainly did feel it and was hurt when people didn't put him on the level of say Roger or Nadal, but it seems he has moved past it and is just working on the results to make his name for himself. I think in some regards that attitude served him poorly with the public when at the time he had little to show for it. I think when all is said and done he will certainly be able to move past Nadal in terms of accomplishments. Federer's might be a tougher ask. I also think you have to consider where Novak is from in this. There is a certain disdain for that region of the world where Novak harkens which I think gets thrown in to perception of him too with some unfortunately.

 

[Luxilon Borg]

From a pure number's standpoint, what Novak is doing is incredible. Now with 11 Grand Slams, Rafa's 14 and even Fed's 17 appear to be in reach. And there doesn't seem to be an end in sight. Of course, there is, which is the nature of everything, but it will be interesting to see how far he can take this, from a pure number's standpoint.

However, when you take a step back from the numbers and take a look at the completeness of the person, the brand, Novak Djokovic falls short. It's really a marketing problem.

Novak clenched his fist and turned to his camp after winning his 6th Aussie Open. It was a modest but appropriate celebration, considering the match itself wasn't very stimulating. Compare this to Roger and Rafa rolling all over the courts, tears streaming down their faces. They're better campaign posters, better for the highlight videos, just more compelling. Even when Novak has celebrated, it's been weird: ripping his shirt off and screaming like a medieval soldier in some movie.

Novak seems to be a great guy and he is obviously a fantastic tennis player, possibly will be regarded as the greatest someday. However, I don't think his popularity, his "greatness" will ever reach the level of Roger and Rafa.

I will take this flaw any day of the week. Boris Becker's advice to Nole: Keep your head down, your mouth shut, and keep winning, worry about being loved later. When you see those 11 trophies in your mantle at home years from now, that is all that counts.

 

[tented]

From a pure number's standpoint, what Novak is doing is incredible. Now with 11 Grand Slams, Rafa's 14 and even Fed's 17 appear to be in reach. And there doesn't seem to be an end in sight. Of course, there is, which is the nature of everything, but it will be interesting to see how far he can take this, from a pure number's standpoint.

However, when you take a step back from the numbers and take a look at the completeness of the person, the brand, Novak Djokovic falls short. It's really a marketing problem.

Novak clenched his fist and turned to his camp after winning his 6th Aussie Open. It was a modest but appropriate celebration, considering the match itself wasn't very stimulating. Compare this to Roger and Rafa rolling all over the courts, tears streaming down their faces. They're better campaign posters, better for the highlight videos, just more compelling. Even when Novak has celebrated, it's been weird: ripping his shirt off and screaming like a medieval soldier in some movie.

Novak seems to be a great guy and he is obviously a fantastic tennis player, possibly will be regarded as the greatest someday. However, I don't think his popularity, his "greatness" will ever reach the level of Roger and Rafa.

I will take this flaw any day of the week. Boris Becker's advice to Nole: Keep your head down, your mouth shut, and keep winning, worry about being loved later. When you see those 11 trophies in your mantle at home years from now, that is all that counts.

Wait -- Boris Becker is providing advice which includes keeping your mouth shut?! Truly a "do as I say, not as I do" kind of guy. :laydownlaughing

Great to see you, LB!

 

[Luxilon Borg]

From a pure number's standpoint, what Novak is doing is incredible. Now with 11 Grand Slams, Rafa's 14 and even Fed's 17 appear to be in reach. And there doesn't seem to be an end in sight. Of course, there is, which is the nature of everything, but it will be interesting to see how far he can take this, from a pure number's standpoint.

However, when you take a step back from the numbers and take a look at the completeness of the person, the brand, Novak Djokovic falls short. It's really a marketing problem.

Novak clenched his fist and turned to his camp after winning his 6th Aussie Open. It was a modest but appropriate celebration, considering the match itself wasn't very stimulating. Compare this to Roger and Rafa rolling all over the courts, tears streaming down their faces. They're better campaign posters, better for the highlight videos, just more compelling. Even when Novak has celebrated, it's been weird: ripping his shirt off and screaming like a medieval soldier in some movie.

Novak seems to be a great guy and he is obviously a fantastic tennis player, possibly will be regarded as the greatest someday. However, I don't think his popularity, his "greatness" will ever reach the level of Roger and Rafa.

I will take this flaw any day of the week. Boris Becker's advice to Nole: Keep your head down, your mouth shut, and keep winning, worry about being loved later. When you see those 11 trophies in your mantle at home years from now, that is all that counts.

Wait -- Boris Becker is providing advice which includes keeping your mouth shut?! Truly a "do as I say, not as I do" kind of guy. :laydownlaughing

Great to see you, LB!

Hey there!

Well, it is true Boris has had big mouth in his post playing days. But when he was in his prime he made no attempts to pander...he was well loved because of his on court effort and his initial fresh approach.

But he also had the benefit of playing in the Lendl Wilander era, two guys who were not exactly charismatic.

 

[10isfan]

Could Djoke's popularity being less than Fed's be due to his style of play? I actually like Djoke very much as a person, but don't go out of my way to watch him play. Fed, on the other hand, plays exciting, attacking tennis, and I rearrange my schedule to see him on court.

I think Nadal is popular because of his achievements AND his being Spanish. If he were from some other country, I can't imagine he would have this level of support.

 

[herios]

Nole's popularity is expanding globally continuously and I am sure it will catch up in the end to the other two.

This point was mentioned by Patrick McEnroe during the transmission, talkimg about what a fan base Nole has in Melbourne these days as opposed in the past.

 

[Kieran]

I think part of the popularity cycle has to do with tennis popularity as a whole: the constituencies were filled by Fedal. Novak couldn't immediately bring in a whole other constituency of fans, because the tennis fanbase is finite. As fans of one or other of Fedal jump ship - brother Fiero is their patron saint - Novaks ranks will swell. He'll certainly scoop up the stragglers. Tennis hasn't produced a new global star since the Big 3(+1)....

 

[isabelle]

Hope Nole'll break Nadal and Federer's records, it seems reachable for him, he's still young and in good shape

 

[Kieran]

Hope Nole'll break Nadal and Federer's records, it seems reachable for him, he's still young and in good shape

He's not young, in tennis years...

 

[herios]

Hope Nole'll break Nadal and Federer's records, it seems reachable for him, he's still young and in good shape

He's not young, in tennis years...

Very true. At this exact age, 28.5 Roger was winning his second to last slam, AO in 2010, then his descent started.
The difference will be probably from here onward, there are no contenders to battle Novak for the next few years, like Roger had Rafa and Nole.

By the way regarding popularity, Nole has more tiwtter followers than Roger:clap
That could be because Roger fans are not that tech savy?

 

[nehmeth]

That could be because Roger fans are not that tech savy?

Are you calling them "old"?

 

[herios]

That could be because Roger fans are not that tech savy?

Are you calling them "old"?

Something like that

Rafa tops both of them in this category.

 

[Kieran]

Do any of them ever say anything interesting on Twitter? I mean, it's 144 characters, right? So by the time Rafa shrugs, scratches, tweaks, twerps, and twitches, has he anything left to tweet? Or does he get allowed more time there too? :snicker

 

[herios]

Do any of them ever say anything interesting on Twitter? I mean, it's 144 characters, right? So by the time Rafa shrugs, scratches, tweaks, twerps, and twitches, has he anything left to tweet? Or does he get allowed more time there too? :snicker

:lolz:

The limit is 140 characters. I guess you don't use it either

 

[Kieran]

Do any of them ever say anything interesting on Twitter? I mean, it's 144 characters, right? So by the time Rafa shrugs, scratches, tweaks, twerps, and twitches, has he anything left to tweet? Or does he get allowed more time there too? :snicker

:lolz:

The limit is 140 characters. I guess you don't use it either

No, I never understood Twitter. I'm as old as some of Wodger's fans...

EDIT: Btw, I'm not against Twitter, or any of the new social media forms. I have a Facebook account. But serious question: do any of these players say anything interesting, or is just a distant PA of their PA writing pappy fluff?