Tennis World Divided? Zverev Demands Djokovic Respect!

The tennis world is buzzing after Alexander Zverev’s impassioned plea for greater respect to be shown towards Novak Djokovic. Following his quarter-final defeat to the Serbian at the 2025 French Open, Zverev didn’t hold back, reminding everyone of Djokovic’s unparalleled achievements and dominance in the sport. What sparked this call for respect, and why does Zverev feel Djokovic is currently “underrated?” Let’s dive into the details.

The French Open Clash

Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev faced off in a highly anticipated quarter-final match at Roland Garros on Thursday, June 5, 2025. Djokovic, seeded sixth, emerged victorious after a hard-fought battle, winning in four sets: 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 . This win propelled Djokovic into the semi-finals, where he is set to face the world number one, Jannik Sinner .

While the match itself was a captivating display of skill and resilience, it was Zverev’s post-match comments that truly grabbed headlines. Despite the loss, Zverev took the opportunity to highlight Djokovic’s accomplishments and argue that the tennis community often overlooks or undervalues the Serbian champion .

Zverev’s Call for Respect

“I think at the moment he’s a bit underrated, to be honest,” Zverev stated, emphasizing that many people seem to be counting Djokovic out . He pointed out that Djokovic has already secured significant wins this year, including victories against Carlos Alcaraz at the Australian Open and himself at the French Open . “Forget the age,” Zverev urged, highlighting that these are impressive results for any player, regardless of age .

Zverev further emphasized Djokovic’s continued success against top-tier opponents. “He’s still beating the best of the best,” Zverev said. “So I think everybody needs to respect that” . He also reminded everyone that Djokovic has won an astounding 24 Grand Slam titles . “He’s won 24 of these things. I think, yes, I expected him to be able to play like this. I have not seen him play like this this year yet,” Zverev added .

Why the Perceived Lack of Respect?

Despite his incredible achievements, Djokovic has often faced scrutiny and, at times, a perceived lack of appreciation from certain segments of the tennis community and media. Several factors might contribute to this:

• Rivalries with Federer and Nadal: Djokovic emerged during an era dominated by Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, two of the most beloved figures in tennis history. As Djokovic began to challenge and surpass their records, some fans found it difficult to fully embrace him, maintaining their loyalty to Federer and Nadal .
• Controversial Moments: Throughout his career, Djokovic has been involved in several controversies, including on-court outbursts, clashes with umpires, and his stance on vaccination . These incidents have, at times, overshadowed his achievements and damaged his public image.
• Dominance Can Breed Complacency: Djokovic’s sustained dominance over the past decade has been so comprehensive that some may have become desensitized to his accomplishments. What was once extraordinary can, over time, become expected, leading to a diminished sense of appreciation .
• The “Underdog” Narrative: Some fans and media outlets tend to favor the “underdog” narrative, celebrating players who overcome adversity to achieve success. As a perennial champion, Djokovic often lacks this underdog appeal, making it harder for some to connect with him on an emotional level.

Djokovic’s Recent Achievements

To fully appreciate Zverev’s call for respect, it’s worth revisiting some of Djokovic’s recent accomplishments:

• Record-Breaking Grand Slam Titles: Djokovic holds the all-time record for most men’s singles Grand Slam titles, with 24 .
• Weeks at Number One: He has spent a record 428 weeks as the world number one, far surpassing any other player in history .
• Year-End Number One: Djokovic has finished the year as the number one ranked player a record eight times .
• ATP Masters 1000 Titles: He holds the record for most ATP Masters 1000 titles, with 40 .
• Winning the 2024 Paris Olympics: Djokovic won the gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics .
• Career Golden Masters: Djokovic is the only player to have won all nine ATP Masters 1000 events at least twice .

These are just a few of the many records and milestones that Djokovic has achieved throughout his illustrious career. His sustained excellence and relentless pursuit of perfection have solidified his place as one of the greatest tennis players of all time .

Zverev’s Respect for Djokovic: A History

Zverev’s respect for Djokovic isn’t new. In January 2025, during the Australian Open, Zverev defended Djokovic after the latter retired due to injury and was booed by some spectators . Zverev urged the crowd to show respect for Djokovic, highlighting his contributions to the sport and his history of playing through injuries .

“The very first thing I want to say is please don’t boo a player when he goes out injured,” Zverev said . “I know that everybody paid for tickets and wants to see a five-set match but you have got to understand Novak Djokovic is somebody that has given this sport for the past 20 years absolutely everything in his life” . He reminded the crowd that Djokovic had won the tournament with an abdominal tear and a hamstring tear, emphasizing his incredible resilience and dedication .

Zverev also revealed that Djokovic had been a source of support and advice for him during difficult times . “There’s no guy on the tour that I respect more than Novak. He’s been one of my closest friends on tour,” Zverev said . “When I struggled I could always text him, I could always ask him for advice. I was speaking to him for hours in Shanghai when I struggled after the US Open defeat in the quarter-finals last year” .

The Weather Excuse

Interestingly, Zverev also offered a rather unusual excuse for his French Open loss, blaming the cold weather conditions . He claimed that the drop in temperature affected his serve and groundstrokes, making it difficult for him to be aggressive .

“It was very, very cold,” he said . “So my serve speed was not very high… Again, as I said, I think when the sun completely went down, it was difficult for me to get through the court a little bit. It was difficult for me to find, you know, kind of ways to be dominant in the rally, because my serve was neutralized very well by him” .

While the weather may have played a role, many observers noted that both players were subject to the same conditions, and Djokovic was ultimately able to adapt and overcome the challenges .

Djokovic’s Response

Following his victory over Zverev, Djokovic expressed satisfaction with his performance and acknowledged the challenges posed by his opponent . He also addressed the upcoming semi-final clash with Jannik Sinner, recognizing the Italian’s status as the world number one and the favorite to win the French Open .

Djokovic’s focus remains on the present, as he aims to capture his 25th Grand Slam title and further solidify his legacy as one of the greatest tennis players of all time .

The Road Ahead

Alexander Zverev’s recent comments have reignited the debate about Novak Djokovic’s place in tennis history and the respect he deserves . While opinions may vary, there is no denying Djokovic’s extraordinary achievements and his enduring impact on the sport .

As Djokovic continues his quest for Grand Slam glory at the 2025 French Open, it remains to be seen whether he can silence his doubters and further cement his legacy as the greatest of all time . One thing is certain: the tennis world will be watching closely.