Djokovic emotionally shares about his legacy and desire to be loved

(Dan Tri) - Novak Djokovic opened up about his journey to find understanding and love from fans, sharing his wish to be remembered as a kind person, rather than a great tennis player.

Novak Djokovic spoke with passion in his insightful interview with Piers Morgan, but it was when asked about the legacy he wants to leave the world that the Serbian truly revealed his true feelings.

Throughout his career, Djokovic has had to fight not only on the court but also in the race for the hearts of fans. While Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal often win the hearts of fans with their playing style and beloved image, Djokovic has had to work hard to assert himself among the "giants" of modern tennis.

Djokovic is not only competing with Nadal and Federer for titles, but also in the race for fans' affection (Photo: Getty).

In recent years, the public’s attitude towards him has changed somewhat. Now, fans understand that they will not have many opportunities to see the greatest tennis player in history compete at the top level. Still, Djokovic has not been immune to moments of booing, such as when he was forced to withdraw from the Australian Open semi-finals in January, or when he faced negative reactions at Wimbledon.

Djokovic has admitted that criticism and abuse from fans have had a profound effect on him. For him, the desire to be understood and loved is natural for an athlete who has won more than 20 Grand Slam titles and countless records. So when Morgan asked how he wanted to be remembered, Djokovic was silent.

“He is a man who touched people’s hearts. I want to cry right now. Maybe that’s what I want engraved on my tombstone. Thank you, because you made me realize that,” Djokovic said, his eyes welling up.

Last week, Djokovic also broke down in tears when speaking to fans in Greece about his former coach Nikola Pilic, who passed away earlier this year. He said attending Pilic's funeral was the first time in his life he had attended a funeral, and the emotion was deep inside.

“The way people talk about him is not about the tennis, the titles or the people he coached, but about the person he was, the way he treated people, the way he inspired and changed the lives of people he met. That’s how I want to be remembered,” Djokovic recalled.

Despite often being viewed harshly, Djokovic has a loyal fan base that has always stood by him. However, years of negativity have clearly left a mark on the 38-year-old's psyche.

If the 2025 Australian Open is indeed Djokovic's last appearance in Melbourne, where he has achieved his greatest glory, he hopes to say goodbye with the affection and respect he has craved throughout his career.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-thao/djokovic-xuc-dong-chia-se-ve-di-san-va-khat-khao-duoc-yeu-men-20251113062606832.htm