Roger Federer recently reflected on his early impressions of Novak Djokovic — and he kept it refreshingly honest. In a candid interview, Federer admitted that he didn’t give Djokovic the respect he deserved in the beginning.

The Swiss icon explained that, at the time, Djokovic was still far from the “unbelievable player” he would eventually become. Nobody could have predicted the champion the Serb was destined to be — a player who would go on to reshape tennis history.

Djokovic, now the World No. 3, believes that Federer wasn’t the only one who felt that way. He admitted that many top players at the time didn’t appreciate his confidence — especially when he openly declared that he had what it took to become the best player in the world.

Looking back, that self-belief may have rubbed some rivals the wrong way, but it’s also the same mindset that propelled him to the very top of the sport. 🎾🔥

During a press conference at the 2024 Australian Open, Novak Djokovic opened up about his early relationship with Roger Federer. He admitted that the Swiss legend didn’t like the way he behaved in the beginning, acknowledging that their dynamic was tense in those early years.

It was a rare moment of honesty from Djokovic, showing how far the two icons have come — from friction and rivalry to mutual respect as legends of the sport. 🎾✨

Despite the clear gap in reputation at the time, a teenage Novak Djokovic pushed the 20-time Grand Slam champion to three sets, before Federer eventually won 6-3, 2-6, 6-3. It was an early glimpse of the fight and talent Djokovic would later unleash on the tennis world.

🎾🔥In behind-the-scenes footage from his upcoming documentary “Roger: Twelve Final Days,” Federer reflected on that match with surprising honesty. He admitted that he walked off the court thinking Djokovic was just “OK

.”Federer explained that Djokovic’s backhand wasn’t nearly as fluid back then, and he wasn’t fully convinced by the hype surrounding the young Serb. Little did anyone know that this “OK” player would go on to redefine modern tennis. ✨🐐

“Roger Federer didn’t like the way I was behaving at the beginning” – Novak Djokovic

During a press conference at the 2024 Australian Open, Novak Djokovic opened up about his early relationship with Roger Federer. He admitted that the Swiss legend didn’t like the way he behaved in the beginning, revealing the tension that existed between them in those early years. 🎾🔥