In-depth: Djokovic was gladiator in lion's den, but game's 'Big One' deserves better from fans

Novak Djokovic snagged his 10th Grand Slam with a 6-4 5-7 6-4 6-4 win over Roger Federer at the US Open, who was chasing his 18th at Flushing Meadows in New York. Federer could not have wished for more support as New York seemed to turn into Zurich on a dank, rain-soaked but ultimately foreboding evening in Queens against the game's true king. Djokovic refused to let the pro-Federer crowd derail him despite hearing every Federer winner cheered to the high heavens as much as any of his unforced errors on the slopes of the towering Arthur Ashe Court at Corona Park. When Djokovic stabbed a winner, there was a mode of silence and even boos in the third set towards him for no apparent reason. Serena Williams would not have garnered more raucous support than the Swiss. Rather than let the crowd have an negative effect on his concentration, Djokovic, like all great champions, fed off the air of hostility to emerge victorious despite a gallant effort from Federer.

No, on the contrary he was full of praise for the New York audience, and appreciated their reasons for supporting Federer, who at the age of 34 was bidding to become the oldest man to lift the US Open since 35-year-old Ken Rosewall in 1970. "I can't sit here and criticise the crowd. On the contrary, I think it's logical to expect that a great player and a champion like Roger has the majority of the support anywhere I play him. He absolutely deserves to have the support he does because of all the years and success that he had and the way he carries himself on and off the court. No question about it."

It is because he is so successful. People really don't take to winning machines, and they certainly don't like Djokovic when he is proving to be so far ahead of the rest of the men's game in tennis. The Serbian athlete has won three Grand Slams, and was runner-up in the fourth at Roland Garros this season. He has won nine slams in the past five years and emulated his achievement of 2011 when he lifted the Australian Open, Wimbledon and US Open titles. He has held down the number one ranking in four of the past five seasons. When once there was a big four, now there is a big one. He is well ahead of the rest, but there is also a gap between Federer and men like Andy Murray and Stanislas Wawrinka, who produced a miraculous array of baseline bullets to tear down Djokovic in the final of the French Open in May.

Absolutely not. It is churlish, petty and sounds ugly, but it comes with the territory of being so good. Like in golf, errors should never be cheered. It is the reason why people pay thousands of dollars to watch Floyd Mayweather fights. Most hope they will see the great boxing champion beaten, but the American just won his 49th straight fight against Andre Berto in Las Vegas on Saturday night, and has become a multi-millionaire feeding off the hopes of his detractors to see him laid out. There is little chance of him going out on his sword if he opts for a 50th bout. A bit like Djokovic in tennis. When Federer was the main man, tennis fans rejoiced in his demise. Try to watch Marat Safin outlast Federer in five sets in the semi-finals of the Australian Open in Melbourne back in 2005. The Aussies were going wild for Russia's Safin against Federer back then, but appreciate him more now because he isn't winning. People have short memories. Sports fans remain fickle and eccentric in their tendencies.

Perhaps, but there is something about Djokovic's public persona that many find hard to swallow. That may sound harsh, but it is true. He is not more or less fake than Federer. Nobody can be that nice in everyday life, and nobody can swallow the belief that Djokovic or Federer constantly walk around with smiles and platitudes when they are sitting in their living rooms at home. They both perform in a brutal, vicious, single-minded sport, and have become wealthy doing it. Tennis is no country for the old or the weak. Which Federer at the ripe old age of 34, certainly is not.

On the rise. Djokovic is level with Bill Tilden on 10 slams. Next up are Rod Laver and Bjorn Borg on 11. Then Roy Emerson at 12, and Rafael Nadal and Pete Sampras with 14, just below Federer, who has been stuck on 17 since his Wimbledon success of 2012. At the age of 28, it remains conceivable that he could yet reach 17, and the seasonal Grand Slam remains an obvious target. Federer would be into the 20s if it were not for Djoker's brilliance.

"I'm obviously flattered and honoured to be a part of an elite group of players, legends of our sports," said Djokovic. "I'm 28. I have always valued the care for my body, and my mind and had this holistic approach to life. I will continue on with the same kind of lifestyle, same kind of approach. I think that kind of approach brought me to where I am today. Hopefully, this kind of approach will give me longevity and that I can have many more years to come, and as I said, many more opportunities to fight for these trophies."

Not really. Just like the Wimbledon final, he ran into a roadblock in Djokovic that no other man would have lived with. He can console himself with the knowledge that sometimes the other guy just has too much. Like himself, he is playing against one of the sport's all-time greats. Federer had not dropped a set in the entire tournament but Djokovic ended that run in the opening 42 minutes after a three-hour rain delay for the final to begin. Federer had lost only two break points in the tournament, but doubled that number in his first four service games against the sport's greatest returner. Djokovic saved 19 of 23 break points held by Federer and made six of his 13 opportunities in the final. That is where the final was won. Small but crucial details with Federer breaking back in the final set to force Djokovic to serve for it. "Today I was serving at 5-2 in the fourth set and Roger showed why he is a champion and..making me play to the last point," said Djokovic. "I have a tremendous respect for Roger and what his game is representing to me and any other player."

As long as Federer is around - and he certainly won't be retiring any time soon after such a stirring mandate to continue - Djokovic can expect to continue in his role as a champion who is not universally admired, especially when he comes across Federer. "I'm there to earn the support and hopefully in the future I can be in that position," he said with the touch of a diplomat.