'Rubs Aussies the wrong way': Uncomfortable truth behind Australia's relationship with Novak Djokovic

Most of us don't adhere to the rules that were implemented during the COVID-era anymore.

We no longer isolate when struck down by the illness, keep physical distance from others or limit the amount of people we socialise with.

Yet some of the attitudes that hardened during that time won't go away.

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Along with anti-establishment sentiment from sections of the population, it's become apparent that Australians still have a hard time getting behind Novak Djokovic.

In fresh confirmation of that fact, former Australian Open director Paul McNamee made a sweeping statement along those lines earlier this week.

"I think the Olympic gold cemented his status from a respect perspective," former he told SEN radio. "I don't think there's an issue with respect anymore.

"His record is the greatest. There's no doubt about that.

"But popularity? No not as much. I have spent a lot of time with Novak, he is so popular in the Balkans, I see the opposite in comparison to the west. He is loved in that part of the world.

"The thing for Aussies is he just has a bit of drama. It rubs Aussies the wrong way. I like Novak - I know him personally. He is a very good guy, but he rubs Aussies the wrong way.

"His mannerisms are not our thing. He is a good bloke. The way we treated him by kicking him out during COVID, I was ashamed. The healthiest guy on the planet we kicked him out. It was a shocker."

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Have Australians moved on from Djokovic's COVID drama?

Depends on who you ask.

There's a valid school of thought that he belongs in the same group of athletes at the absolute pinnacle such as LeBron James, Lionel Messi, Serena Williams and others.

Yet there's always people willing to throw shade at Djokovic, despite his greatness on court.

Ahead of the start of the first grand slam of the year, the 38-year-old was playing Daniil Medvedev in a practice match at Melbourne Park, when someone from the crowd shouted: "Let's go Roger."

Djokovic immediately stopped and the crowd started laughing.

He then joined in with an exaggerated laugh as the crowd giggled.

The fact that Roger Federer will play some shots on the practice courts at this year's Australian Open may have confused the fan, but it's fair to say that Djoker will have his share of hecklers once play starts on Sunday.

A perceived arrogance has always followed the Serbian star since he challenged and usurped the Federer/Nadal dynasty.

Federer always had a teacher's pet quality about him, along with an elegant game that was easy on the eye.

The Swiss Master was and still is, in some respects, the poster boy for tennis traditiionalists. Respectful on court and in front of the microphone, the admiration he still garners goes way beyond his play on court, even though he finished with 20 grand slams to his name.

Nadal was never one to seek attention either and carried himself with Federer-like aura by the end of his career.

Djokovic, if anything, has always been more open to being himself on court than others.

In some ways that pushed the narrative he was the third wheel but now has matured into an elder statesman of the sport. Yet to some, the respect that he yearns for will never materialise.

For whatever reason, sections of fans and the wider public will point to his emotional outbursts on court and his unorthodox wellness beliefs, in addition to his controversial stances on vaccines as the reasons why he'll never enter Federer-Nadal status, even if he wins a record 25th singles grand slam.

It would be difficult not to cheer for the Serbian star if he accomplished such an achievement.

The Serbian clinched his 24th major title at the US Open in late 2023, but Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz have since dominated the grand slams with a contrasting yet evolved style of tennis that has blown their rivals off the court.

Djokovic, who will be 39 in May, is not impervious to the physical toll two decades on the tour has taken on his body.

To move out of a tie with Margaret Court on 24 grand slam singles titles in the Australian's own back yard, though, he will likely need to beat one or both of the "New Two" at the business end of the tournament.

Last year Djokovic beat Alcaraz in the quarter-finals only to retire from his semi-final against Alexander Zverev with a hamstring tear.

He reached the semi-finals of all four majors in 2025, losing to Sinner in Paris and at Wimbledon, as well as Alcaraz in New York.

Djokovic pulled out of the warm-up tournament in Adelaide in January but Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley moved quickly to douse any question over the 38-year-old turning up in Melbourne.

However, there were reports he only spent 12 minutes on court during his second practice session, despite Tiley's assurances.

Djokovic's battered body might have other plans, though, and his chances of going deep will probably rely on him staying healthy into the second week at Melbourne Park.

He managed ATP titles in Geneva and Athens last year to take his tally to 101 but his best efforts at the big Masters events were a Miami final and a semi in Shanghai.

It will be his 21st appearance in the main draw at the Australian Open, a run that started as a qualifier in 2005 when he was thumped by eventual champion Marat Safin.

Melbourne's large community of fans with Serbian heritage will ensure he has plenty of support at a tournament where he has otherwise been more admired than loved.

There is no doubting he will go down as one of the tournament's great champions, especially since his 10 triumphs came in the "Big Three" era when Nadal and Federer were also at their peak.

- with Reuters