Roger Federer vs Novak Djokovic: Bad Blood Brewing Between Tennis Superstars?
Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic made headlines on Thursday -- not with their impressive performances, but because of bad blood that is reportedly brewing between the two tennis superstars.
Federer scored a straight-set win against Djokovic on Tuesday in London. ESPN reported that the Swiss tennis superstar was irked by Djokovic after the Serb reportedly told reporters that he "handed the win" to Federer.
But when asked about it on Thursday, Djokovic said that he did not say anything like that. He asked reporters to read the transcript of his previous interviews and he is sure that he did not utter the disrespectful remarks.
"Me, I said that? No," Djokovic said via ESPN. "We can look at the transcript, go back. I'm 100 percent sure I didn't say that and I didn't say anything that can be taken out of the context, anything similar to that."
Djokovic, who is currently on top of the world rankings, insisted that those who made up the story is just trying to create tension between him and Federer.
"Whoever created that story, I don't know what to say," Djokovic said. "There is no need to create any kind of bad blood between Roger and me because I said what I needed to say, that he deserved to win that match, he was a better player. I said that I was disappointed with my level, but that has nothing to do with me handing the victory."
Djokovic and Federer have faced each other in big matches this year, including six tournament finals. The top-ranked superstar won in four of their six final matches, including their showdown at 2015 Wimbledon and 2015 U.S. Open.
They could collide again in the ATP World Tour Final if they will win in their respective semis matches on Saturday. Djokovic will go up against Rafael Nadal, while Federer will face either compatriot Stan Wawrinka or Andy Murray.
Djokovic said that he will remain focused on the task at hand and will try to avoid the media as much as possible to avoid having distractions in the final two days of the tournament.
"There is no reason for me to get in this midst of speculations that can cause some distraction to my concentration, which is very much valuable and needed," Djokovic said. "I know that every drop of energy and focus needs to be there. I do watch matches, but I don't read papers, so forth, especially during the tournament."
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