"They're not even Serb, but they're abusing you" - Novak Djokovic fans called out by Thanasi Kokkinakis

Thanasi Kokkinakis recently took a swipe at Novak Djokovic fans during a conversation with Denis Shapovalov. The Australian opined that many Djokovic loyalists tend to verbally attack individuals whose views stand in contrast to their own.

Djokovic unsurprisingly has a sizeable fan following across all major social media platforms. Several of his followers tend to vehemently defend him whenever criticism comes the Serb's way, and they also don't hold back from verbal conflicts with fans of the former World No. 1's rivals.

Recently, during a conversation between Thanasi Kokkinakis, Denis Shapovalov and Dominic Thiem filmed for the UTS Tour, the Australian ridiculed Novak Djokovic's X (formerly Twitter) fanbase. According to Thanasi Kokkinakis, several of the Serb's fans can be instantly identified because of the crocodile emoji that typically features in their profile names. The emoji represents Lacoste, Djokovic's apparel sponsors.

"The tennis Twitter, if you like Djokovic, like, everyone in their little Lacoste emojis, these little crocodiles, they're there for you. You know what I mean," Kokkinakis told Shapovalov.

The Australian went on to claim that despite many of Djokovic's fans not being Serb themselves, they abuse others on X who hold contrasting views.

"You know they're Djokovic fans because they got a little crocodile on their thing, and they're abusing you dude. And they're not even Serb, but they're abusing you," Kokkinakis added.

In the same conversation, Kokkinakis also joked about how his perception of Djokovic was different compared to that of the Serb's fiercest rivals, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

"Novak Djokovic doesn't lose and just drinks juices all day" - Thanasi Kokkinakis

Thanasi Kokkinakis (Source: Getty)

Thanasi Kokkinakis also stated during his conversation with Denis Shapovalov and Dominic Thiem that he personally found both Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal "welcoming". However, according to the Australian, this has never been the way he has perceived Novak Djokovic.

"Federer was like really welcoming, especially like when you're younger. Same as Rafa. But then Novak was like, F**k this guy doesn't lose and just drinks juices all day," Kokkinakis said.

The Serb has so far faced Kokkinakis on two occasions, with both meetings coming in Grand Slams. Their first clash came at the 2015 French Open, and the second at the 2022 Wimbledon Championships. Djokovic won both matches in straight sets.

2024 saw the former World No. 1 endure a disappointing season, barring his men's singles gold medal triumph at the Paris Olympics. He recently joined forces with former rival Andy Murray to prepare for 2025.