The Novak Djokovic-Margaret Court Conundrum: How The Media Uses a Racist, Homophobe to Undermine the G.O.A.T

Remember when Roger Federer was the undisputed king of tennis? The graceful Swiss maestro was praised as the greatest of all time, his 20 Grand Slam titles celebrated like they were the pinnacle of sporting achievement. Then Rafael Nadal, the relentless Spaniard, came along and claimed the crown with his clay-court dominance, and just like that, the narrative shifted. Nadal was now the G.O.A.T., and the tennis world seemed perfectly content.

But then, Novak Djokovic, the man who has defied both the laws of tennis and the expectations of millions, stepped up and shattered their records. Instead of celebrating his achievements, the narrative twisted. Suddenly, Djokovic's 24 Grand Slam titles weren't seen as the ultimate record; instead, the conversation shifted to Margaret Court. Yes, Margaret Court—a woman whose legacy is tainted not only by her outdated tennis accomplishments but also by her homophobic and racist views.

Why is it that when Federer and Nadal were at the top, Court's record was a mere footnote, if mentioned at all? But when Djokovic surpassed them, we suddenly scrambled to find another figure to overshadow his achievements. And not just any figure, but someone whose views are so reprehensible that even acknowledging her feels uncomfortable. Why? Because we can’t accept Djokovic, a man who doesn’t fit the mold of the “perfect” tennis champion—a mold that, let’s be honest, has long been shaped by wealth, privilege, and a certain European whiteness.

The truth is, Djokovic doesn’t come from the typical rich-white tennis background. He’s not a Swiss banker’s son like Federer, nor does he carry the charming Spanish flair of Nadal. Djokovic is a kid from war-torn Serbia, who rose to the top through sheer grit and determination. His accent isn’t polished, his mannerisms aren’t refined in the way we’ve come to expect from our tennis heroes. And let’s not forget, his off-court controversies have given the media plenty of ammunition—like the Australian Open COVID-19 saga, where he went from being hailed as a national treasure to being demonized as a national threat. All this, just in time for an election, where certain politicians used him as a convenient scapegoat to boost their own profiles.

But let’s talk about Margaret Court for a moment. Here is a woman whose views are so out of step with the modern world that it’s almost shocking she’s still given a platform. Her homophobia and racism are well-documented, from condemning LGBTQ+ rights to praising South Africa’s apartheid regime. Yet, when Djokovic’s time came to be celebrated as the all-time Grand Slam record holder, we dusted off Court’s record—suddenly, it was relevant again. Not to highlight her achievements, but to diminish Djokovic’s. How telling is it that we’d rather elevate the legacy of a homophobic, racist figure than fully acknowledge Djokovic’s greatness?

And let’s not forget the hypocrisy at play here. Djokovic has been vilified for his so-called arrogance and off-court antics, while Federer and Nadal’s questionable actions have often been swept under the rug. Remember when Djokovic was disqualified for accidentally hitting a ball-boy? He took the punishment and apologized. Meanwhile, Federer once did the same thing—no disqualification, no apology, and barely a mention in the press. It’s hard not to see this as a reflection of who the media and tennis establishment have decided is “worthy” of their adoration.

But when it comes to pure tennis, the numbers don’t lie. Djokovic has more Grand Slam titles, more weeks at number one, more wins on all surfaces, and more victories in head-to-head battles against both Federer and Nadal. Yet, instead of celebrating his unprecedented success, we scramble to find ways to undermine it, whether by dragging in the record of a problematic figure like Margaret Court or by fixating on Djokovic’s perceived flaws.

The truth is, Djokovic doesn’t fit the narrative we’re comfortable with. He’s not the “nice guy” with the perfect PR team. He’s the underdog who’s clawed his way to the top, breaking the mold and challenging the status quo. And maybe that’s exactly why we should celebrate him, rather than desperately trying to find ways to diminish his achievements. Because in the end, greatness isn’t about fitting into a mold—it’s about breaking it. And in that regard, Djokovic has proven himself to be the greatest of all time.