The screenplay for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games was ideal for Novak Djokovic.
On the one hand, he overcame Rafael Nadal in the second round, but he also won the elusive gold medal, completing his trophy collection. Djokovic’s epic triumph also ended the GOAT argument, according to some bigwigs, including Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic. Earlier today, Vucic made a bold statement comparing Djokovic to Nadal, which enraged the Spaniard’s fans.
Nadal’s statue has been erected in his hometown of Mallorca as a tribute to his distinguished career. In addition, an airport has been named in his honor. Thus, Vucic believed that Serbia should demonstrate what Djokovic had accomplished for the country. While announcing Djokovic’s museum in Belgrade, he stated, “Mallorca has a Rafael Nadal museum.” We will highlight Novak Djokovic’s contributions to our country while enticing tourists. “Novak is taller than Nadal.”
Un musée Novak Djokovic va ouvrir à Belgrade 🇷🇸
🗣️ Aleksandar Vučić, président de la Serbie : "Majorque a un musée Rafael Nadal. Nous ferons en sorte de montrer ce que Novak Djokovic a fait pour notre pays, tout en attirant les touristes. Novak est plus grand que Nadal". pic.twitter.com/IlGbvk3xHu
— Univers Tennis 🎾 (@UniversTennis) August 7, 2024
However, Vucic’s comparisons of Nadal and Djokovic irritated Spanish supporters, who thought the Serbian President was impolite in his statement. Vucic, on the other hand, sought to make Serbia a tourism destination by capitalizing on Djokovic’s reputation and displaying his most memorable moments in the museum. He expressed confidence in completing the project before the EXPO and offering it as a tourist destination. We want to convey how much we value what he has accomplished while also attracting tourists.”
While Vucic’s goal was to follow the Spanish model and highlight Djokovic’s achievements to the globe, supporters were angered when he downplayed Nadal’s achievements. As a result, many resorted to social media to air their grievances.
Serbian President invites the wrath of Rafael Nadal fans
As soon as Vucic unveiled the plans for Djokovic’s museum in Belgrade, his speech went viral on social media. Furthermore, a passage in which he referred to Djokovic as taller than Nadal went viral on Twitter, infuriating the Spaniard’s supporters, who responded by condemning him for his statements. Some fans believed he was jealous of Nadal’s stardom and desperately wanted to emulate the Spanish model. One of the admirers remarked, “Bwahahaha such jealousy and obsession of the copy cats, so desperately wants to be better than Nadal.” Next, you want a statue outside RLA, lmfao.”
Bwahahaha such jealousy and obsession of the copy cats, so badly wants to be better than Nadal.
😂
Next what , want a statue outside RLA lmfao
😭😭 https://t.co/ub3bMTrdwh pic.twitter.com/xPRb9LKMGh— S. (@write2Swag) August 7, 2024
Some fans then pointed out Serbia’s high taxes. Serbia currently levies 10-20% tax, depending on income level. This led a supporter to scream: “The first statement the Serbian president gives has Nadal mentioned more than Djokovic, worry about your guy residing in Monaco/Marbella to evade Serbian taxes and not some 42-year-old Mallorcan.” However, it wasn’t simply that. One Twitter user disclosed that Nadal lived rent-free in Spain while Vucic discussed making Serbia a tourism destination.
However, other fans believed it was a premeditated attempt to antagonize Nadal followers after Djokovic won the Olympic gold medal. One of the fans believed that the issue might have been prevented, stating, “Why talk about Rafa in real life except to provoke?” Finally, one fan felt that Vucic’s statement on Nadal indicated that he was insecure about him, revealing, “Even their president is insecure about Rafa.”
Even their president is insecure about Rafa 😂 https://t.co/xTbaKBHrBD
— Omnni (@omnii88) August 7, 2024
Given that both Nadal and Djokovic have had distinct skills and illustrious careers, drawing comparisons is not ideal, and the GOAT argument remains far from decided. Do you think Vucic was correct in his comparison between Nadal and Djokovic? Please let us know your thoughts in the comments section.