50 Fun Facts About Novak Djokovic

In which city was Novak Djokovic born in 1987?

Belgrade gave him a rapturous welcome after his first Wimbledon title in 2011, with tens of thousands of fans gathering outside the National Assembly.

Djokovic's 24th major, at the 2023 US Open, tied whose all-time singles record?

Margaret Court's mark of 24 had stood for 50 years, and Djokovic matched it at his second attempt that summer, after losing the Wimbledon final.

Whom did Djokovic beat in the 2023 Australian Open final, a year after being deported?

Stefanos Tsitsipas had also lost his first major final to Djokovic, at the 2021 French Open, after leading by two sets.

Which eight-time major champion became Djokovic's coach in 2017?

Andre Agassi lasted less than a year, leaving in 2018 because he said the pair far too often found themselves agreeing to disagree.

Whom did Djokovic beat in the 2008 Australian Open final to win his first major?

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga had stunned Rafael Nadal in the semifinals, yet it took Djokovic another three years to win his second major.

Which 2020 exhibition series organised by Djokovic was abandoned after a COVID-19 outbreak among players?

The Adria Tour's Croatian final was cancelled when Grigor Dimitrov announced a positive test, and Djokovic tested positive days later.

Which coach met the six-year-old Djokovic on Mount Kopaonik and persuaded him to hit a two-handed backhand?

His idol used a one-hander.

Who was Djokovic's childhood idol?

Pete Sampras winning the 1993 Wimbledon final was the first tennis match he watched on TV, and he modelled his early game on him, one-handed backhand included.

Where did Djokovic sometimes train during the NATO bombing of Serbia?

A disused swimming pool converted into a court was one venue; he also practised where bombs had fallen the night before, betting they wouldn't strike twice so soon.

In 1999 the 12-year-old Djokovic moved to Germany to train for four years under which coach?

Nikola Pilić's academy cost more than the family could afford, so his father borrowed money at high interest rates to keep him there.

In 2006, Djokovic's family held talks about him switching to represent which country?

Great Britain's Lawn Tennis Association held talks with his family, who saw better funding there than in Serbia, after he helped beat Britain in the Davis Cup.

At which event did Djokovic win his first Masters title, in 2007?

Miami came weeks after he lost the Indian Wells final to Rafael Nadal, and he beat Nadal in the Miami quarterfinals on his way to the title.

What were Djokovic and Nadal given during the trophy speeches after their 2012 Australian Open final?

Chairs to sit on were brought out because both men could barely stand after a final lasting 5 hours and 53 minutes.

Which UN agency named Djokovic a Goodwill Ambassador in 2015?

UNICEF had already made him a national ambassador in Serbia, and cited his commitment to children's rights when it gave him the global role.

Whom did Djokovic beat in the 2016 French Open final to complete the Career Grand Slam?

Andy Murray took the first set, but Djokovic won the next three and then drew a heart on the clay in homage to Gustavo Kuerten.

Before Djokovic, which man last held all four majors at once?

Rod Laver was the last man to hold all four at once, in 1969, and Djokovic got there after losing his first three French Open finals.

Ranked 21st after elbow surgery, whom did Djokovic beat in the 2018 Wimbledon final?

Kevin Anderson had spent 6 hours, 36 minutes beating John Isner in the semifinal, and Djokovic swept him in straight sets.

Which new rule decided Djokovic's 2019 Wimbledon final against Federer?

A 12-all tiebreak in the fifth set was new that year, and Djokovic reached it after saving two championship points with Federer serving at 8-7.

Why was Djokovic disqualified from the 2020 US Open?

A ball he hit in frustration struck a lineswoman in the throat, and after he was defaulted he left without facing the media.

What did Djokovic do with his prize money from winning the 2014 Rome Masters?

Donated it to flood victims, and his appeal for aid reached beyond Serbia to Bosnia and Croatia, its foes in the 1990s wars.

Where was Djokovic held while appealing his 2022 Australian visa cancellation?

An immigration detention hotel in Melbourne held him alongside refugees who had been detained for years, and after losing his appeal he flew out and missed the tournament.

Whom did Djokovic beat in the 2023 French Open final to claim a record-breaking 23rd major?

Casper Ruud was beaten 7-6 6-3 7-5, which returned Djokovic to world No. 1 and made him the first man to win all four majors at least three times.

Whom did Djokovic beat in the 2023 US Open final for his 24th major?

Daniil Medvedev lost in straight sets, two years after beating Djokovic in the 2021 final to end his bid for a calendar Grand Slam.

Before his 2024 Olympic gold, at which Games did Djokovic win bronze?

Beijing gave him bronze in 2008, but he then finished fourth in London, lost early in Rio and lost the bronze-medal match in Tokyo.

Who ended Djokovic's run of four straight Wimbledon titles in the 2023 final?

Carlos Alcaraz won in five sets, which denied Djokovic an eighth Wimbledon title that would have matched Roger Federer's record.

What record did Djokovic's August 2023 Masters final break?

Longest best-of-three-set ATP match to decide a title: it ran 3 hours 49 minutes, and Djokovic had to save a match point in the second set.

Why was Djokovic's 2018 Wimbledon semifinal against Nadal halted overnight?

A local 11pm curfew stopped play with Djokovic two sets to one up, and he beat Nadal 10-8 in the deciding set the next day.

Why did Federer withdraw from the 2014 ATP World Tour Finals final against Djokovic?

A back injury flared after his long semifinal against Stan Wawrinka, and he came out to explain to the O2 crowd that he was not fit to play.

How did Djokovic celebrate winning his first Wimbledon title, in 2011?

He ate some of the grass, saying afterwards that he felt like an animal and wanted to see how it tasted.

Djokovic filmed a cameo as himself for which 2012 action film?

The Expendables 2 was shooting in Bulgaria when he flew in to play himself, but his scenes were cut from the released film.

Which racket brand did Djokovic re-sign with after the 2008 season?

Head had supplied him before a 2005 Wilson deal, and Wilson ended up copying his old Head frame after none of its own models suited him.

Who was Djokovic's main coach from 2006 to 2017?

Marián Vajda split from him in 2017, but they reunited after a year and parted again only in 2022.

What did Djokovic cut from his diet in 2010, before his breakthrough 2011 season?

Gluten was the target after a nutritionist had him resist pressure on his arm while holding bread, and he said he felt much weaker.

What is the title of Djokovic's 2013 autobiography?

Serve to Win describes a researcher sending love to one glass of water and swearing at another, and after a few days the sworn-at water had a green tint.

Which player body did Djokovic co-found with Vasek Pospisil?

The Professional Tennis Players Association drew him away from the ATP player council presidency in 2020, but in January 2026 he left it citing governance concerns.

Where did Djokovic marry his high-school sweetheart in July 2014?

Sveti Stefan island, Montenegro hosted the wedding days after he won Wimbledon, with his bride already expecting their first child.

Which shot saved Djokovic, match point down, in the 2011 US Open semifinal?

A forehand return winner on Federer's first match point began a run of four straight games, a year after he had saved two match points against Federer at the same stage.

Between matches at Wimbledon, Djokovic has meditated at a nearby temple of which faith?

Buddhist though the temple is, he is not a Buddhist himself and says he goes there for the calm and nature between matches.

Which Italian clothing company signed Djokovic to a ten-year deal in 2009 after Adidas passed?

Sergio Tacchini offered a smaller guarantee with bigger bonuses, then fell behind on payments as he kept winning, and the deal ended in 2012.

Which brand unveiled Djokovic as its ambassador in May 2017 after five years with Uniqlo?

Lacoste was founded by tennis champion René Lacoste, and Djokovic said that as a player he related more to a brand from his own sport than to Uniqlo.

Asked for impressions after his 2007 US Open quarterfinal, Djokovic imitated Rafael Nadal and which other player?

Maria Sharapova got skipping hops and imaginary hair-smoothing, while for Nadal he pushed up his sleeves and tugged at his shorts.

What kind of restaurant, Eqvita, did Djokovic open in Monte Carlo in 2016?

Vegan was the concept he and his wife built on their passion for healthy food, and fellow tour players came to its opening night.

How did Serbia's team celebrate winning its first Davis Cup, in 2010?

Shaved heads kept a promise the players made before the final, after Serbia had come back from 2-1 down to beat France.

Djokovic and Federer share the five-win record for which award?

Laureus Sportsman of the Year had gone to each of them five times as of 2026, and Djokovic's 2016 award followed a season in which he reached all four major finals and won three.

Djokovic's foundation has concentrated on which stage of education in Serbia?

Preschool is the focus because, as he puts it, the early years of life are crucial, and in 2015 his foundation teamed up with the World Bank on it.

Which place did Djokovic call the heart of Serbia on a camera lens at the 2023 French Open?

Kosovo had seen clashes that week, and France's sports minister called the message not appropriate while Kosovo's Olympic Committee asked the IOC to act.

Who beat Djokovic in five sets in the 2019 French Open semifinal?

Dominic Thiem was ahead when wind and rain halted play overnight, and he finished the job the next day before losing the final to Rafael Nadal.

Whom did Djokovic beat in the 2022 Wimbledon final for his 21st major?

Nick Kyrgios took the first set in his first major final, but Djokovic won the next three for his seventh Wimbledon title.

In 2018, where did Djokovic become the first man to win all nine Masters 1000 events?

Cincinnati was where he had lost three finals to Roger Federer, and he beat Federer in straight sets to win it at last in 2018.

Whom did Djokovic beat in the 2026 Australian Open semifinals?

Jannik Sinner, the two-time defending champion, had won their last five meetings, but Djokovic came back from two sets to one down to win in five.