Haters will appreciate Djokovic after he retires, Medvedev says

World number one Novak Djokovic may not enjoy the same kind of praise and respect from fans as Roger Federer or Rafa Nadal but even the Serb’s “real haters” will come to appreciate his records and achievements after he retires, Daniil Medvedev said.

Djokovic avenged his U.S. Open final loss to Medvedev by winning a record-extending sixth title in Paris and a record 37th Masters title on Sunday, fighting back from a set down to win 4-6 6-3 6-3 on Sunday.

Djokovic also sealed the year-end world number one spot for a record seventh time to move ahead of American great Pete Sampras.

“Ten years after he retires, there are going to be people who will start watching tennis just like me. I didn’t see [Pete] Sampras play, I was too young but I heard he was amazing — it’s going to be the same [with Djokovic],” Medvedev told reporters.

“There are going to be new people coming to tennis who are just going to read in Wikipedia or whatever, what were the results, who was the world number one for most weeks, for most times.

“In the end they are going to see Novak everywhere. That’s when people are going to start to understand (and say) ‘Okay, that’s amazing what he has done.'”