An old clip of player-turned-commentator Mary Joe Fernandez criticising Novak Djokovic has re-emerged online. She slammed the Serb for retiring midway through his 2009 Australian Open quarter-final and called him ‘soft’, angering many of his fans. Interestingly, she is the wife of Tony Godsick, Roger Federer’s long-time friend and agent.
Djokovic was on track to defend his Australian Open title in 2009. However, he abruptly pulled out midway through his quarter-final against Andy Roddick when trailing two sets to one. Federer also expressed his unhappiness with this perhaps unnecessarily, having claimed at the time that Djokovic gives up too easily. He claimed the defending champion should not have played if he wasn’t fully fit.
Later, during Federer’s quarter-final, Mary Joe Fernandez was asked for her thoughts about Djokovic’s withdrawal. She said Federer probably expected the latter to retire. She revealed after the duo played in the 2008 Monte Carlo Masters, the current World No.1 told the Swiss star he had a sore throat. Fernandez said Federer thought it was soft. She added it was something the 20-time Grand Slam winner or even Rafael Nadal would never do.
Djokovic fans on X were incensed after his video resurfaced. Her close connection to Federer fuelled their belief in the ATP’s ‘establishment’ bias against their favourite player.
All should listen to this video, look how quickly Mary Jo Fernandez (wife of Federers friend and agent Tony Godsick) we’re quick to dismiss Djokovic “Rafa wouldn’t do that either”. They also said there is no Big 4 just a Big 2 (Fedal)..the seeds were set.pic.twitter.com/Y0TlMSpIXM
— Pavvy G (@pavyg) January 22, 2024
Fans on X did not take kindly to this clip and slammed Fernandez. They also accused her of peddling the propaganda that Djokovic is the outsider against Federer and Nadal.
This was disgusting! And she had to throw rafa in the mix ♂️it’s always the darlings rafa + roger vs the “outsider” Novak. She’s cheap
— Gudu Kassa የቀድሞው ስርአት ናፋቂ (@GuduKassa102) January 22, 2024
Roger and Rafa (and the people around them) have fake class
Djokovic is genuine, has real class, and isn’t afraid to stand up for himself, and they hate him because of it
— Luka Cubrilo (@LukaVetti) January 23, 2024
A Dominican girl was a average tennis player, her biggest success was # 4 in doubles, that why she’s not in position to criticise tennis
GOAT Novak Djokovic. Also she became infamous by marriage to Khasarian Godsick, surprise, surprise R.Federer agenat….she’s part of cabal— Kras Kulas (@KrasKulas) January 23, 2024
Really weird I think.
A retired pro tennis player with 0 majors to her name joking about a then 21yo who had already achieved greater success on the court than she ever did.
— Brice™️ (@BriceBriceBabyy) January 22, 2024
So condescending. No surprise there.
— V. R. Kris (@RVKristi) January 22, 2024
Mary Jo was an average player. How many majors won? @MARYJOFERNANDE6
— TorontoCorporateRun (@TOCorporateRun) January 23, 2024
Fernandez was active from 1986-2000, reaching three Grand Slam finals. That remains her best singles Majors result as she peaked at World No.4.
Mary Joe Fernandez and husband Tony Godsick are very close with Roger Federer
Mary Joe Fernandez has been married to Tony Godsick since 2000. They began dating in 1996 after Monica Seles, then the American agent’s client, introduced them to each other. The former World No.1 was a bridesmaid at their wedding. It was Seles who recommended Roger Federer to join IMG in 2005, specifically naming Godsick. The Swiss legend joined the agency and the latter started looking after his affairs.
In 2013, the duo decided to split from IMG and begin their own agency and thus, Team8 was born. Godsick acts as the CEO of this organisation that counts Coco Gauff and Juan Martin del Potro amongst its clients. He was also crucial to the creation of the Laver Cup.
Federer and Godsick recently made headlines when they visited the Rafa Nadal academy in Mallorca, Spain. They posted a selfie with Nadal and his agent, Carlos Costa, which took the internet by storm.
Roger Federer shared a new selfie with Rafa Nadal & both of their agents, Tony Godsick & Carlos Costa.
This Fedal reunion has been too good. pic.twitter.com/JwWe0HUB70
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 21, 2024
On the personal front, Godsick has two children with Fernandez, including a budding tennis player. The couple currently reside in Miami, Florida.
