Despite missing out on many opportunities on the ATP tour this year, Novak Djokovic has made sure to keep his game strong. The legendary Serbian is at Astana right now aiming for his 90th ATP title. However, ‘Djokernole’ has not been spared by the media over his actions and choices. During an interview in Israel, he talked about how the media has portrayed him in a negative light by not respecting his choices.

But this has not stopped the Serbian from doing what he does best, playing astonishingly consistent tennis. He has kept his game strong and rising to the top once again.

Novak Djokovic slams the media for showing him in a negative light

The Serbian came under immense scrutiny after his Australian Open debacle. His vaccination status made him the target of the media’s negative spotlight. Djokovic spoke to i24news during his visit to Israel for the Tel Aviv Watergen Open. He talked about the role the media has played in garnering negative views toward him this year. He said, “This year the media shone a lot of negative spotlight on me and they weren’t nice.” The Serb did not shy away from taking a dig at them and said, “But I expected a little, they behave like that.”

Conclusively, he did not mull over that fact a lot and said, “You just have to try not to give them too much importance and do what I do best, which is to say play tennis.”

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Following his Australian Open debacle, the Serb suffered a poor run of form that culminated in the French Open, losing against Rafael Nadal. However, he came back roaring back to form at Wimbledon, winning the championships in dominant fashion. Now, the player’s focus is on increasing his ranking points and maintaining that consistency to be a part of the ATP finals in Turin.

Djokovic’s tussle with the media

Initially, it started with the limelight being on his vaccination status during the Australian Open. This continued throughout this year, when he could not participate in the US Open. American tennis legend, John McEnroe, too took a dig at the US authorities for not allowing the Serbian player to be a part of the major.

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Moreover, he recently became the target because of his presence at the Tel Aviv Watergen Open. Djokovic stayed calm amidst all this and focused only on tennis. It will not be too far-fetched to say that it is working quite well for him.