“Novak Djokovic gets a lot of undeserved hate” – Alexander Zverev makes his feelings known on Serb ‘spoiling the party’ for Federer & Nadal fans
Alexander Zverev, the world No. 3, passionately defended Novak Djokovic against what he called “undeserved hate” from tennis fans, particularly those devoted to Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, in an exclusive interview with *Tennis365* on June 27, 2025. Zverev argued that Djokovic’s dominance, which disrupted the Federer-Nadal era, has unfairly painted him as the villain in the eyes of many. “Obviously, Roger and Rafa are probably two of the most loved athletes of all time, right? They’re probably both in the top 10 of the most-loved athletes of all time. And Novak was spoiling the party a lot for the fans,” Zverev said, highlighting how Djokovic’s 24 Grand Slam titles and relentless success against the beloved duo have fueled fan resentment.[](https://www.sabcsport.com/news/zverev-djokovic-gets-hate-because-he-spoiled-the-party-for-federer-nadal-fans)[](https://www.tennis365.com/wimbledon/alexander-zverev-novak-djokovic-hate-wimbledon)
The German’s comments came in the context of Djokovic’s controversial 2025 season, notably his Australian Open semi-final withdrawal against Zverev on January 24, 2025, due to a leg injury after losing the first set 7-6(5). The Melbourne crowd booed Djokovic as he left Rod Laver Arena, prompting Zverev to call for respect, noting, “He’s won this tournament 10 times. He’s won it with injury… If he cannot continue a tennis match, it means he really cannot continue.” This incident, reported by *Sportskeeda* and *Yahoo News Australia*, underscored Djokovic’s polarizing relationship with fans, exacerbated by his 2022 deportation from Australia over his unvaccinated status.[](https://www.sportskeeda.com/tennis/news-novak-djokovic-makes-feelings-known-australian-open-fans-booing-shock-retirement-vs-alexander-zverev-emotional-plea)[](https://au.news.yahoo.com/tennis-fans-all-say-same-thing-about-alexander-zverev-as-novak-djokovic-drops-not-be-back-bombshell-214856115.html)
Zverev emphasized Djokovic’s generosity off the court, recounting a practice session at Wimbledon where the Serb offered detailed advice on serving and returning despite their rivalry. “He’s so generous with his answers… I’m not sure anybody else in the world will do that to a direct competitor,” Zverev told *Express.co.uk* on June 28, 2025, expressing astonishment at Djokovic’s openness. He also challenged the narrative that Djokovic, at 38, is past his prime, pointing to his 2025 wins over Carlos Alcaraz at the Australian Open and Zverev himself at the French Open. “I think at the moment he’s a bit underrated… He’s still beating the best of the best,” Zverev told *ATP Tour* on June 5, 2025, after a four-set loss to Djokovic at Roland Garros.[](https://www.express.co.uk/sport/tennis/2074600/novak-djokovic-Alexander-Zverev-Wimbledon)[](https://www.atptour.com/en/news/zverev-roland-garros-2025-qf-reaction)[](https://www.tennis365.com/tennis-news/novak-djokovic-underrated-french-open-rival-respect-alexander-zverev)
Djokovic’s ability to thrive under scrutiny, including boos at Wimbledon and the US Open, reflects his mental fortitude, which Zverev admires. Fan reactions on X, like @KhaanWrites’ post on January 24, 2025, condemned the “classless” Melbourne crowd, while others, like @umair, criticized Djokovic’s perceived arrogance, showing the divide. Zverev’s defense highlights Djokovic’s contributions—like his Novak Djokovic Foundation’s work for Serbian children—against a backdrop of controversies, including his COVID-19 vaccine stance. As Djokovic prepares for Wimbledon 2025 against Dominik Koepfer on June 30, Zverev’s stance calls for a reevaluation of the Serb’s legacy, urging fans to respect a player who has redefined tennis greatness.
