French Open 2023: Novak Djokovic: 'As Kobe used to say, nobody hates the good ones, they hate the great ones'
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Published 31/05/2023 at 11:56 GMT
Ahead of this 2023 French Open second-round match against Marton Fucsovics on Wednesday, Novak Djokovic has given his response to receiving negative comments on social media and recalled a famous line from basketball legend Kobe Bryant on dealing with those who do not always support you. Djokovic saw another rival drop out on Tuesday when Daniil Medvedev lost his opening match.
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Novak Djokovic has quoted basketball icon Kobe Bryant in speaking to the Serbian media at the 2023 French Open about receiving negative comments on social media ahead of his second-round match.
The No. 3 seed at Roland-Garros, who is taking on Marton Fucsovics on Court Philippe-Chatrier on Wednesday afternoon, was reportedly asked about research conducted by World Sports Network on the men’s tour that demonstrated that he received the most negative tweets.
The 22-time Grand Slam singles champion, who is targeting a hat-trick of French Open crowns in Paris this fortnight while looking to move ahead of rival Rafael Nadal with an outright record 23rd major title, responded by quoting the great Bryant.
"Does that surprise you?" Djokovic responded to regarding the research, as per Sasa Ozmo of Tennis Majors. "Personally, I’d be surprised if it were any different.
"As Kobe used to say, it’s a great quote: ‘Haters are a good problem to have. Nobody hates the good ones. They hate the great ones.’
"I don’t hate anybody; I don’t nurture that kind of emotion and I don’t raise my kids that way. Hate is a horrendous emotion. If someone hates me, I think that says more about that person [than me]."
"I wouldn’t change anything in my life because I’ve done everything to the best of my knowledge and abilities in a particular moment," he continued.
"Yes, I’ve made a lot of mistakes, but at least I was authentic, I was being myself – I’d choose that every time compared to saying whatever pleases those that abide by the standards of the establishment."
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Corretja discusses the similarities between Djokovic and Alcaraz
Djokovic is competing at Roland-Garros after an injury-disrupted season so far in which he missed key French Open preparation tournaments in Madrid and Barcelona.
But Eurosport expert Alex Corretja does not harbour any concerns about the fitness of the 36-year-old after seeing him up close in his opening victory in Paris.
“I feel it’s just a matter of time, just a few more matches,” said Corretja, who was courtside at Roland-Garros.
“He played enough matches to feel like he can play well here at Roland-Garros this year, maybe not as many as people think he needs, but I feel that as the tournament goes on, he will adjust the footwork [and] his forehand will work better.
“When he serves well, it’s always good. His forehand is always good. But the thing is his forehand – when you see his forehand is bouncing high to the sides, that gives him so much space to change down the line or go cross-court with the backhand.
“That’s so easy for him when the ball is bouncing. Today was very sunny and hot so I think it suits his game very well.”
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