At the US Open, former American pro and broadcaster James Blake thought he was paying tribute when he praised Novak Djokovic‘s lasting excellence, but instead he found himself whiplashed by a wave of critical fan reaction.
Blake‘s remark came after Djokovic launched his US Open campaign emphatically, dispatching American Learner Tien in straight sets.
Observing the Serb’s fluid movement and confident play, Blake declared that the Djokovic of 2025 “could beat Djokovic of 2015.” But fans were far less convinced.
Blake‘s comment, intended as admiration for Djokovic‘s longevity and consistency, swiftly became the spark that ignited widespread backlash from tennis fans.
Many felt the timing was off, and the comparison too reductive, even if rooted in praise.
Fans react
The aftermath played out on social media as fans voiced their disapproval. Some questioned whether Blake‘s words inadvertently downplayed Djokovic‘s broader achievements.
Others felt his framing lacked sympathy for the Serb’s struggles during another unpredictable season in New York.
One commenter lashed out: “Easily the worst take we’ve ever seen; it still would’ve been bad if he said it for 2023 Novak, but I would’ve understood it at least.”
Another lamented Djokovic‘s diminishing sharpness: “Lol you can literally see how much Novak’s movement and speed have regressed since the Olympics, even, he’d lose in straight sets.”
And recalling the dizzying heights of Djokovic‘s early years, one fan suggested, “Maybe 2005 Djokovic, but def not 2015…”
The impact of Blake’s words
This year, Djokovic has claimed just a single title, far from his 2015 tally, where he was virtually untouchable.
While Blake might have meant well, fans were quick to interpret his comparison as revisionist.
The backlash wasn’t merely because of nostalgia. Djokovic‘s physical condition has noticeably shifted; the gold medal in Paris last summer, while a triumph, may have taken a toll.
Many observers point to the accumulated wear of years atop the sport, suggesting that 2015 Djokovic, lean, explosive, and relentless, remains the standard-bearer.
For newer fans or those less familiar with the finer points of Djokovic‘s career arc, this context matters.
In 2015 alone, he dominated all surfaces, won three Grand Slam titles, and seemed unstoppable. Ten years on, his brilliance endures, but so does the toll of a glittering, grueling career.
Blake‘s intention, to celebrate Djokovic‘s enduring excellence, was plain. But as often happens when legendary athletes linger at the top, comparisons become battlegrounds.
Fans cling to golden memories; pundits revel in recency bias. In this case, the two forces clashed head-on.
As Djokovic progresses through the US Open, only time will tell whether Blake‘s comparison gains credibility or whether 2015 remains the unchallenged benchmark.
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