Novak Djokovic

Who Is Novak Djokovic?

Novak Djokovic is a name that defines an era. He is a Serbian professional tennis player. He is widely considered the greatest athlete in the history of his sport.

To his already extraordinary résumé — which includes the record for most weeks spent as World No. 1 (428) — he added an Olympic gold medal at the Paris 2024 Games, becoming only the fifth player in history to complete the career Golden Slam. He cemented himself even further among the sport’s immortals.

Djokovic holds the all-time men’s record of 24 Grand Slam singles titles. He also holds the record for most weeks ranked World No. 1.

Furthermore, on March 24, 2025, Djokovic became only the third man — after Roger Federer (103) and Jimmy Connors (109) — to clinch his 100th ATP Tour title in the Open Era.

His story is not simply one of talent. It is a story of war, sacrifice, willpower, and an unshakeable belief in a dream declared at age seven.

Early Life: From a War-Torn Belgrade to the World Stage

Born Into a Nation in Conflict

Novak Djokovic was born on May 22, 1987, in Belgrade, SR Serbia, SFR Yugoslavia, to Srđan Djokovic and his wife Dijana. His father excelled in soccer. His younger brothers Djordje and Marko play tennis and aspire to become professional players.

Both Dijana and her husband Srdjan were skiers, not tennis players. Curiously, even though all three Djokovic brothers grew up playing tennis, neither of their parents played the sport.

Growing up in Belgrade was not easy. During the war in the former Yugoslavia and the bombing of Belgrade, Djokovic and his family would spend a few hours in the middle of each night in the basement. Djokovic has said that the hardships of war drove him to pursue tennis with even greater determination.

A Seven-Year-Old With a World No. 1 Dream

In 1994, the then seven-year-old Djokovic appeared on Serbian TV and confidently told his interviewer: “The goal for me is to become the World No. 1.”

His peers laughed. His coaches took note. Seventeen years later, that dream became a reality.

Coach Jelena Genčić: The First Believer

During the summer of 1993, at age six, Djokovic was spotted by Serbian tennis player and coach Jelena Genčić at his parents’ fast-food joint at Mount Kopaonik. She was amazed by his excellent performance at such a young age. She went on to coach the budding star until 1999.

Genčić had previously taught Monica Seles and Goran Ivanisevic. She quickly recognized Djokovic’s promise and worked to develop him into a top player.

The Pilic Academy: Leaving Home at Twelve

In September 1999, the now 12-year-old Djokovic left Serbia for Munich, Germany, to train at the tennis academy of former Yugoslav pro Niki Pilic. He would turn pro four years later.

Nikola Pilic recently recalled young Djokovic’s arrival. “In the first few months, my wife Mija played an extremely large role,” Pilic said. “She felt he needed support. He was small, he came at the age of 13, and Serbia was bombed at that time in 1999. She said that Novak had clear eyes. He was extremely focused. Every day he had 15 different ideas.”

In 2001, at age 14, Djokovic began his international career. He ended that year as a triple European champion in singles, doubles, and team competition.

Professional Career: The Making of a Legend

Turning Pro and Early Breakthroughs (2003–2010)

Since turning professional at 15 years old in 2003, Novak Djokovic has made an indelible impact on tennis.

His first Grand Slam final appearance came at the 2007 Australian Open, where he lost to Roger Federer in four sets. However, that defeat only sharpened his hunger.

He received the ATP Tour Most Improved Player of the Year Award in both 2006 and 2007. His rise was unmistakable.

In 2008, he claimed his first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open. He also won the bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Moreover, he became a member of the ATP Player Council for three terms, serving from 2008 to 2010 and then as President from 2016 to 2020.

The Dominant Years: 2011–2016

The period from 2011 to 2016 belongs entirely to Djokovic. From 2011 to 2016, he appeared in 15 Grand Slam finals and won 11 of them.

In 2016, he became the first-ever tennis player in the Open Era to hold all four major titles on three different surfaces simultaneously. This achievement became known as the “Nole Slam” — holding all four Grand Slams at once.

Furthermore, he is also the only ATP tennis player to have won all Masters 1000 Tournaments — known as the Golden Career Masters — twice.

Setbacks, Surgery, and a Stunning Comeback (2017–2019)

In 2018, Djokovic reached the fourth round of the Australian Open before losing to Chung Hyeon. He then underwent elbow surgery later in January.

However, Djokovic refused to stay down. He returned to form later in 2018 and won both Wimbledon and the US Open. He received the ATP Comeback Player of the Year Award in 2018, proving once more that setbacks are only setups for comebacks.

Peak Dominance and Record-Breaking (2020–2023)

In November 2023, Djokovic became the first man to win 40 ATP Masters 1000 titles at the Paris Masters. Rafael Nadal is next on the all-time list with 36.

He also secured his record seventh ATP Finals success in Turin in 2023, leaving him one clear of Roger Federer.

In September 2023, his US Open win saw him match Margaret Court’s Open Era record of 24 Grand Slam singles titles.

Additionally, on February 27, 2023, Djokovic recorded his 378th week as men’s singles World No. 1 to set the all-time record — for men or women — for weeks spent at the top of the tennis rankings.

Paris 2024 Olympics: The Last Piece of the Puzzle

One title had always eluded him. Then it didn’t.

Djokovic finally added an Olympic gold medal to his resume at the 2024 Summer Games, defeating Carlos Alcaraz in the men’s singles final.

“I don’t know what to say, I’m still in shock. I put my heart, my soul, my body, my family, my everything on the line to win Olympic gold,” Djokovic said. “At age 37, I finally did it.”

This made him only the fifth player in history to complete the career Golden Slam.

2025 and the 100th Title

On March 24, 2025, Djokovic won the Geneva title, becoming only the third man in the Open Era to clinch his 100th ATP Tour title.

He started 2025 ranked No. 7 in the ATP rankings. He advanced to the Australian Open semifinal, extending his record of major singles semifinal appearances to 50.

At the end of the 2024 season, he chose his former rival Andy Murray as his new coach. Djokovic announced this decision with a video saying: “We played each other since we were boys. 25 years of being rivals. Of pushing each other beyond our limits. We had some of the most epic battles in our sports.”

Grand Slam Titles: A Record for the Ages

Djokovic holds the record for the most Grand Slam singles finals appearances, with 33 such matches. He has won 24 of these finals — the all-time men’s record — while losing the other 9.

Complete Grand Slam Breakdown

Tournament	Titles	Years Won
Australian Open	10	2008, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023
Wimbledon	7	2011, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022
US Open	4	2011, 2015, 2018, 2023
French Open	3	2016, 2021, 2023
TOTAL	24	—

Playing Style: What Makes Djokovic Unstoppable

Djokovic is a phenomenal returner, a supreme counter-puncher, physically unmatched, and gifted with tactical intelligence few have ever approached. He has built a complete and near-flawless game that allows him to adapt to every surface and every opponent with an almost unreal ease.

His favourite surface is hard court. His favourite shots are his down-the-line backhand and return of serve.

On hard courts, his 734–136 tally reflects his mastery. On clay, his 295–72 record includes his 100th win at Roland Garros in 2025. On grass, he joined an elite group with his 100th Wimbledon win in 2025.

Furthermore, this made him the first man to reach 100 wins at three different Grand Slams — Australian Open, Roland Garros, and Wimbledon.

Career Records and Honours

Records That Stand Alone

• 428 weeks as World No. 1 — the record for men or women
• First man to win 40 ATP Masters 1000 titles
• Only the fifth player to complete the career Golden Slam
• Only the third man in the Open Era to reach 100 ATP Tour titles
• Most Grand Slam wins at three different venues (Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon — 100+ wins each)

Major Awards and Titles

Award	Times Won	Years
Grand Slam Singles	24	2008–2023
ATP Finals	7	2008, 2012–2015, 2022–2023
Olympic Gold Medal	1	Paris 2024
Olympic Bronze Medal	1	Beijing 2008
Laureus World Sportsman of the Year	5	2012, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2024
ITF World Champion	8	2011–2015, 2018, 2021, 2023
ATP No. 1 Award	8	2011–2012, 2014–2015, 2018, 2020–2021, 2023
Arthur Ashe Humanitarian Award	1	2012

Personal Life: Love, Family, and Faith

Jelena Djokovic: His High School Sweetheart

Novak Djokovic and Jelena Djokovic are high school sweethearts. The two have known each other since they attended the same high school in Serbia.

In September 2013, Djokovic became engaged to Jelena Ristić in Monte Carlo, where he was living at the time.

Novak and Jelena tied the knot on July 10, 2014, in an outdoor ceremony in Sveti Stefan — a stunning town along the Adriatic coast. Andy Murray was among the approximately 100 guests and reportedly served as the best man.

Stefan and Tara: His Greatest Titles

Their family expanded when they welcomed their first child, a son named Stefan, on October 21, 2014. In 2017, Djokovic and Jelena welcomed their daughter, Tara.

“My heart is full when I have my family with me,” Djokovic said ahead of the 2025 Australian Open. “It’s a long way to get to Australia from where we live.”

The Novak Djokovic Foundation

Djokovic gives as powerfully as he competes. Together with Novak, Jelena co-founded the Novak Djokovic Foundation in 2007, aiming to provide quality education and resources to children in need across Serbia. Their foundation’s initiatives have positively impacted the lives of numerous children.

The foundation has collaborated with Lacoste to provide kids in Belgrade with access to tennis courts and basketball facilities. The organisation has been able to help over 54,000 kids across Serbia.

In 2015, Djokovic was also appointed as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.

Faith and Baptism

In May 1992, Novak Djokovic was baptized in the Žiča Monastery, alongside his mother and younger brother Marko, signifying his lifelong connection to the Serbian Orthodox Church. His faith has remained a quiet but consistent presence throughout his career.