The New Lendl

First topic message reminder :

Lendl reached the summit of mens tennis gaining the number one ranking and collecting an impressive 8 slams. More than McEnroe, more than Becker and the same number as Connors. But what he failed to capture was the publics imagination. He is often remembered more for his dour personality, cruel sense of humour and his devotion to physical fitness than he is for any sort of exciting play.

As far as personality goes IMO Djokovic shares little with Lendl. I would even go as far as saying he can be charismatic. As of last year he does share similar achievements. At the moment he is the clear number 1 and holds 3 slam trophies. But so far though he has yet to capture the wider publics imagination. For example despite winning the recent Australian Open he trailed behind both Nadal and Federer in terms of popularity.

http://www.australianopen.com/en_AU/fancentre/social/index.html

Djokovic has played some great matches against Nadal and Federer but it is the latter two players who have most of the crowd on their side during their encounters. In the AO final I believe the crowds vocal support of Nadal at the end of the fourth set played a part in him winning it.

Why has Djokovic not achieved the popularity that often goes hand in hand with high achievements? Will he become another Lendl?

hawkeye wrote:

legendkillar wrote:

hawkeye wrote:

legendkillar wrote:Hawky,

If we looked over our threads you and I know I would outweigh you in views and comments.

Nice attempt at trying to bullcrap your 'profile' I mean cherry pick.

Ha ha! Numbers don't lie. What do you mean your views and comments "outweigh" mine? You are clearly deluded, wrong and so emotianal that you are often reduced to throwing insults whereas I am (IMO) usually right...

So the last 3 threads, which one you done months ago tell a whole story?

You like half a glass don't we?

Miss 'I delete comments who disagree with me'

You truly do talk and believe in your own crap.

I have to admit its difficult to discern exactly what you are trying to say here? The first bit (I presume) is some sort of reference to my article entitled "Is Nepotism Acceptable If It Involves Andy Murray". I get the impression that it wasn't one of your favourites? And your a bit annoyed that it keeps popping up? I can hardly help it if it continues to be discussed after all this time.

As for the rest I havn't a clue what you mean. Do you have an opinion on Djokovics popularity in relation to Federer and Nadal. This is what this article is about...

The Nepotism article doesn't actually contain anything worth while comment wise like you try to imply by the number of comments. Infact it is laughable you think it carries substantial weight in quality content.

In relation to Djokovic, like so many have said that the top 2 who have held the rearguard at the top of the game. So any comparison with Lendl is somewhat bizarre given that Lendl was not one for sporting equipment or clothing endorsement.

Federer wasn't really a global 'brand' until 2 years after his Slam success. Same could be said for Nadal, didn't really take off as a global brand until 2008.

Djokovic is at a loss because the assumption was that success would equate to the 'attention' he desires. Federer and Nadal had continual Slam success. Djokovic won his first Slam in 2008 and had to wait another 3 years for another Slam. So you can see why there was caution, because people want to make sure that 2011 was no fluke one off. Public perception will change in time if he continues to be successful and humourous.

Federer and Nadal are 'institutions' in the world of tennis. Their popularity will not decline.

Djokovic needs to wait and not show frustration.

hawkeye, the final of USO in 2010 and 11 while big matches I don't think rised to the level of tennis tension or enjoyment of the semis with FEd. I think the big matches at the tail end of slams are going to be against another member of the big 4. I think the semi this year against Murray helped his stature as well.

I don't know about Fed getting instant respect, I think at least in the US with him not being American I don't think he got much attention in the sports world in general outside of tennis hardcore fans until the 05 USO final against Agassi. That was sort of the watershed because it was great tennis and it was against Andre. Not that he was unknown with several grandslams, but he didn't enjoy the same sort of outside of tennis notoriety with the likes of celebs like Tiger and Gwen Stefani, or Ann Wintourn showing up for Roger vieiwings.

social1976

IMO the level of tennis (and tension) in the 2010 US final was extreemly high. Definately higher than the 2011 final. Nadal won because he was playing great but in some ways that match shows Djokovic at his very best too. Lots of people look back to 2010 and see Djokovics Davis Cup win as significant for his form in 2011. IMO the form he showed in that match also played a big part. Of course after the 2010 final all the talk was of Nadal. How Djokovic played was (as usual?) underated.

The same goes for the 2010 and 2011 US semi's. All the talk was about Federer.

As for America. Anyone who can get any sort of recognition there who is not American is doing very well indeed...

legendkiller

Thank you and well done! You can make a valuable contribution to discussion and IMO you have some interesting things to say about Djokovics popularity.

If you've got anything to say about Nepotism and Murray please post it in the relevant section. I would be more than happy to respond to your comments there.

Good article, I've always wondered the same thing as to me he has or at least shows more personality than both Nadal and Federer put together. I think it's just the way the former two's rivalry has been marketed for longer and people see what they want to see or what they're told they've seen. I guess also being from a small country he's got less home supporters than say Nadal. Hopefully in time as he wins a few more slams the general public will realise though you get the feeling that even though he won the las Wimbledon that he's still not that well known there.