Italian great Adriano Panatta has become known as a tennis pundit who is not afraid of voicing his unvarnished opinions, even if it involves attacking some of the sport’s biggest stars.
During a professional career spanning from 1969 to 1983, Panatta secured 10 singles titles, including the 1976 French Open, and reached a career-high ATP ranking of world No 4.
The 74-year-old, who helped Italy win their first Davis Cup title in 1976, was the only player to defeat tennis icon Bjorn Borg at the French Open, achieving the feat twice.
When Jannik Sinner withdrew from the group phase of the 2023 Davis Cup Finals in September, Panatta slammed his 22-year-old compatriot.
“Today, tennis players are businesses and, as such, they only think about profit, especially those around them, forgetting history and feelings,” the Italian said.
“He had already given up on the Olympic Games [in 2021], today he says no to the Davis Cup. Jannik is tired?”
While Sinner came under fire on that occasion, legendary Serbian Novak Djokovic has been the most frequent and notable target of Panatta’s criticism in recent years.
Here, we look at five of Panatta’s most controversial quotes about Djokovic.
“Let’s say there’s a big mystery surrounding him. How is he really? Is he bluffing?”
Djokovic made an impressively swift recovery to play at the 2024 Wimbledon Championships after tearing his meniscus and undergoing surgery less than a month before the tournament started.
Panatta, though, suggested he was not convinced Djokovic had been injured and raised questions over his operation.
“Let’s say there’s a big mystery surrounding him,” Panatta said to Libero Quotidiano. “How is he really? Is he bluffing? And his recently operated knee?
“At 37, he’s not the ‘Djoker’ of the good days, but I would always be afraid to cross rackets with someone who has triumphed on Centre Court seven times.”
“For me, nothing changes – Roger Federer is the greatest”
Djokovic claimed his 23rd Grand Slam title at the 2023 French Open to stand alone as the man with the most Major singles crowns, having previously been tied with Rafael Nadal.
Panatta, however, argued Djokovic’s historic triumph changed nothing in the GOAT debate as he gave his backing to Roger Federer.
“For me, nothing changes – Roger Federer is the greatest. It’s not just a matter of aesthetics. And not even of statistics, which they like so much but leave the time they find,” the Italian told Corriere della Serra.
“Let me explain better – in the few years that he has played, Borg has concentrated more Grand Slam victories than Djokovic, Nadal and Federer combined.
