- Novak Djokovic is steadily rising in his tennis career and is the next biggest thing in the global sports industry
- He has 22 Grand Slams and is not about to stop his tennis offensive
- But some moments in life shaped his tennis career and success
Novak Djokovic is steadily rising in his tennis career and is the next biggest thing in the global sports industry.
With 22 Grand Slams, he is the modern-day king of tennis, a title he is battling out for with Spaniard Rafael Nadal. Nadal has 22 slams too but hasn’t been so lucky with wading off injuries.
In fact, a hip injury saw him fail to defend his Australian Open title in 2023. Incidentally, Djokovic won this tournament with resounding confidence. But what is special about the Serbian player?
HE ALWAYS ENVISIONED HIMSELF AS WORLD NO 1 TENNIS PLAYER
From an early age, Djokovic had a vision of ranking and keeping his status as a world No. 1 player. Now 36, he is living the dream. He says that his mindset doesn’t see impossibilities in situations but opportunities. That’s why his dream of being world No.1 tennis player came to be yet it was a dream he harboured when he was only eight years old.
Novak Djokovic and his wife Jelena Djokovic. Photo by Eurosport
When he got into tennis, he maintained consistency and commitment and this is the secret to his illustrious tennis career.
SERBIAN BOMBING IN 1999 PUSHED HIM TO PLAYING TENNIS
As a healing country from war, a bombing in 1999 pushed Djokovic into tennis.
“We didn’t need to go to school and we played more tennis…it made us tougher. It made us more hungry, more hungry for the success,” he tells CBS in an interview.
War was a big adversity in Serbia and the poverty and instability accompanying it motivated Djokovic in a big way. Djokovic, like all great champions, honed his special gift through hundreds of hours after the bombing. It taught him the value of hard work, the right working attitude and a proper work ethic.
WIMBLEDON WIN BIGGEST SUCCESS YET
Winning Wimbledon in 2022 had a paradisiacal effect. It was another dream come true besides that of being the world No. 1. The Serbian tennis player describes playing and winning the grass courts of London a big achievement. Wimbledon is not only fascinating but a pinnacle of success for every tennis player.
In the traditions and history of tennis, Wimbledon embodies a pinnacle of victory. He is a seven-time Wimbledon champion. He doesn’t forget the thrill of winning on this grass court.
DJOKOVIC WAS ALWAYS SCARED AFTER DEFEATING ROGER FEDERER AND RAFAEL NADAL
It took years for Novak Djokovic to get over his own fear of his tennis rivals Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. He was always too fearful to win against them because he had so much respect for the present-day tennis legends.
In his successful tennis career, Novak Djokovic is aware that tennis is a game that only a select few players can ever truly dominate. Further, he learnt that it takes extraordinary psychological and physical strength to defeat a select few. In the process, he also learnt the value of confidence.
THE PRESSURE OF BEING SERBIA’S MOST CELEBRATED ATHLETE
Djokovic is aware of his emergence as a national icon. In full knowledge of being an ambassador, he has a bigger role to play compared to other athletes who are only worried about their career.
Novak Djokovic. Photo/New York Times
At least millions of people have curiously looked up Serbia on Google or Wikipedia just because of him. While a large portion of the rest of the world is only now becoming familiar with Djokovic’s lighthearted and jovial side, his devoted following has always looked to him for motivation from his successful tennis career.
He is further aware that there are scores of younger people he is out to inspire.
THE 2011 SEASON SUCCESS
In his whole tennis career, the 2011 season was his best. He won three Grand Slams in a row; Australian Open, French Open and the US Open. Moreover, Djokovic won a record five Masters Series 1000 titles.
This success stunned fans and he admits it wasn’t easy to achieve all this but is glad that he made history. He beat Nadal and Federer this year to win in the most prestigious tournaments of his life at their expense.
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