"Rafael Nadal & Roger Federer are loved, Novak Djokovic's the villain" - John McEnroe calls out 'unfair' treatment meted out to Serb

Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer have earned the love of fans worldwide and former pro John McEnrore believes Novak Djokovic, the duo’s contemporary and member of the ‘Big 3’, is worthy of just as much. The American criticised the “unfair” villainising of Djokovic in a recent interview with iNews, saying he deserves the “legendary reputations” that have come to be associated with Federer and Nadal.

McEnroe conceded that both Federer and Nadal deservedly earned the love that they receive, but was quick to add that Djokovic is treated unfairly despite having surpassed the duo in overall achievements.

“[Rafael Nadal] and [Roger Federer] have legendary reputations, deservedly so. They’ve been incredible. [Novak Djokovic] has not only equalled them but surpassed them in overall achievements, which seemed impossible,” John McEnroe said.

“Both of those guys, Rafa and Roger, they are total class acts," he continued. "They are loved and respected around the world. Novak gets the unfair treatment. He’s the villain, the bad guy."

Dissecting the narrative, McEnroe said the tennis world possibly needed a “good guy” and a “bad guy” to balance the narrative and Djokovic just fit the latter’s bill. He reiterated the "unfairness" of it all, saying the Serb has been equally great for the sport.

“I guess you need a good guy and a bad guy in a way. It can help the sport when you have rivalries like that. I think it’s been unfair, honestly, because he is great for the game, on and off the court.”

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"I’d welcome it" - John McEnroe on Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer & Andy Murray commentating

John McEnroe, who took up commentating after retiring from tennis, said he would welcome the likes of Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer joining him.

Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer - Getty Images

Calling the possibility of working with the quartet as “fun”, McEnroe said Murray’s dry sense of humour would make him a great fit for the job. He, however, said it was unlikely that Federer would ever take up commentating.

“I’d welcome it. I wouldn’t mind working with them if they were doing it. I’d love to, it’d be fun. Andy’s got that dry sense of humour. I don’t know him that well, but everything I hear off the court, he likes to be light hearted and have fun. But I don’t anticipate Roger doing tennis commentary. He’s got a lot of other things going on.”

Both Djokovic and Murray are nursing injuries and are yet to confirm their participation in the upcoming Wimbledon Championships. Nadal, meanwhile, has decided to skip the event to focus on the 2024 Paris Olympics.