By Daily Sports on May 6, 2018
Former World No. 1 Novak Djokovic has claimed that he has never had any issues with Swiss great Roger Federer, but he does not share a close friendship with him or 16-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal.
Djokovic has suffered a terrible loss of form after making his return to competitive tennis at the start of the year, losing in the fourth round of the Australian Open followed by first round defeats in Indian Wells and Miami. Although he did win two consecutive matches at the Monte Carlo Masters, any hopes of a revival in his form were short-lived as he was beaten by Dominic Thiem of Austria in the round of 16 before being dumped out of the Barcelona Open in the second round.
The Serbian was recently quizzed about the kind of relationships he shares with the likes of Federer, Nadal and Andy Murray. And the 12-time Major winner responded by saying that even though he isn’t close friends with any one of them, he does respect each one of them.
“We should first define what’s friendship,” Djokovic told Russian outlet Novosti.
“I think that the most important thing is that the relationship is fair and respectful.
“We play big matches with much money at stake in the biggest events because of this I don’t see enough space for an honest friendship.
“I think it’s enough for us to have a correct relationship and respect each other.”
“I never had issues with Roger,” Djokovic added.
“I feel maximum respect for him because he had a great influence on all of us and tennis in general.
“With (Rafael) Nadal and (Andy) Murray we are of the same generation, we grew up together and they helped me to get where I was.
“Anyway, I don’t hate anyone, the word “hate” is not in my vocabulary.” (UBtennis.net)
•Photo shows Djokovic (R) and Federer
Source Daily Sports
Posted May 6, 2018
You may also like...
Balogun: Rangers Eyeing UEFA CCL Group Stage
Manchester United Snatch Late Victory Over Brighton
German League Confirm 2020-21 Bundesliga Season To Start...
Amokachi reflects on Atlanta 96 heroics
53 Polytechnics, 4,000 athletes register for NIPOGA
UEFA Champions League: Suarez forgets passport on the...

Portugal plot Nigeria pre-World Cup friendly
Nigeria host Uzbekistan in 2026 Davis Cup play-off
NFF reduces Remo home ban to five games
Zambia fire Falcons warning ahead WAFCON 2026
Itauma not ready for Usyk — Ex-champ Nelson
Nigeria wouldn’t miss 2026 W’Cup under me – Pinnick
Portugal Plan Friendly Against Super Eagles Ahead of 2026 World Cup
They’re very good players – Osimhen on Galatasaray interest in Lookman, Pape Gueye
Six Nigerian stars secure Champions League knockout spots
Nigeria battle Guinea for handball World Cup ticket
Ajagba steps up prep for Martin fight
AFCON 2025 Final Fallout: CAF Suspends Coach, Players, Fines Two Federations
Rangers International going, going . . . (63,499 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (54,799 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (52,696 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,350 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,284 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,194 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (52,065 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,617 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (50,791 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,319 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (47,711 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,179 views)