At age 38, Novak Djokovic is the sole remaining member of the Big Three—a group that also included Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal—still competing actively. Although his current level may be slightly removed from the form that made him the all-time leader in Grand Slam tournament victories, his popularity among fans appears to be continuously climbing.

Ahead of the Serbian star’s debut at the ATP 250 in Athens, an event he actively champions, Boris Becker spoke about the unique global affection Djokovic has cultivated. Becker, a former German World No. 1, six-time Grand Slam champion, and Djokovic’s coach from 2013 to 2016, credited the difference to the player’s personal journey.

“He has a different spirit. He comes from a country that was at war and has had to overcome many obstacles to

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