Wimbledon, England – Listen to Novak Djokovic’s opponents explain why he is so successful – why he will begin his quest for a fifth consecutive and eighth overall Wimbledon championship on Monday; why he will attempt to claim the record 24th Grand Slam trophy on the grass courts of the All England Club in the upcoming fortnight – and they will provide many answers.
His impeccable serve in the game. His dangerous two-handed backhand. His anticipation. His resilience. His defense. His ability to understand the intentions of others, reach the ball wherever it’s going, and send it back forcefully, as described by Casper Ruud after losing to Djokovic in the French Open final: “He enters a mode where he becomes like a wall.”
Listening to Novak Djokovic explain why he did what he did, and why, even at the age of 36, he continues to do so, and they will present a reason that is very intangible and requires little attention, as he mentioned during his victory speech at Roland Garros several weeks ago. “I try to envision every single thing in my life and not just believe in it, but actually feel it with every cell of my body. And I just want to send a message to the young people out there: Stay present; forget what happened in the past; the future is something that is going to happen.” But if you want to create a better future, you create it. Take matters into your own hands. Believe in it. Make it happen.”
Speaking about his hopes and dreams as a 7-year-old boy, Djokovic revealed two primary goals: reaching the number one spot and winning Wimbledon.
In the span of half a century of computerized rankings, he has already spent more weeks at number one than any male or female player. Now, he will attempt to equal Roger Federer’s record of 20 Grand Slam titles by securing his 8th title at the oldest major tournament. In terms of the most men’s singles major victories, Djokovic is ahead of Rafael Nadal with three and trails only Federer, who has won 23.
Facing Argentina’s Pedro Cachin on Center Court on Monday, Djokovic said, “These two guys have been keeping me on my toes for the past 15 years.”
His 23 is the same number with which Serena Williams ended her career last season, trailing only Margaret Court, who claimed 24 titles across both amateur and professional eras.
“Grand Slam titles are the goal. I don’t know how many, but I feel there is much more left in his body,” said Djokovic’s coach, Goran Ivanisevic. “It’s interesting to see because sometimes you think, ‘Okay, now you have 23.’ But he will find some inspiration to win 24, maybe 25. Who knows where the end is?”
Entering the 2011 season, the alleged Big Three’s Grand Slam standings looked as follows: Federer with 16, Nadal with 9, Djokovic with 1.
After winning his initial major title at the Australian Open in 2008, Djokovic went through 11 major rounds where he lost in the semifinals or finals to Federer or Nadal.
His self-belief has wavered a little.
Djokovic said, “This is the place where I really doubted myself, whether I can or cannot because you get so close, but then you kind of fall.” “The more times you fall, the more you start questioning everything, you know what I mean?”
“He did it. It shows the strength of his character.”
So where did this belief come from? Djokovic points to several factors: his upbringing in war-torn Serbia and during sanctions, his parents (“over 95 percent of people… were laughing at them, and they were encouraging me to spend whatever was left in the family budget on expensive tennis practices,” he said), his first coach and “tennis mother,” Jelena Gencic, and later his coach and “tennis father,” Niki Pilic.
They all helped him develop as an athlete and as a person.
Djokovic said that when he was 7 or 8 years old, Gencic showed him videos of the best male and female tennis players. She taught him the importance of “relaxation and listening to classical music, reading poetry, singing and reading, and being mindful of proper breathing, etc.”
He said his mother is “a rock” and his father created “such a power of belief and positive mindset in me.”
