3 bold quotes by Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic is widely regarded as one of the greatest tennis players of all time, earning his place in sports history. With a record 24 Grand Slams titles and as the oldest man to be ranked World No. 1, Djokovic's journey coming from a war-torn country to the pinnacle of success is truly inspiring.

In addition to his plethora of titles, Djokovic has inspired millions of people with his commitment to the game and the perseverance that he has shown as a sportsperson. In this regard, there are a range of quotes by the Serb that are not only inspiring but also impactful.

With that said, here are three such bold statements made by Novak Djokovic over the years.

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#3 "One thing is for sure. I feel that I had the power to create my own destiny,"

Novak Djokovic won his 23rd Grand Slam title at Roland Garros last year by defeating Casper Ruud in the finals, equaling Serena Williams' record for the most number of Grand Slams won in the Open Era. However, the Serb went one step ahead and won his 24th Grand Slam title at the US Open later that year.

With his kids watching him from the stands, the Serb used his post-match speech as an opportunity to inspire the younger generation with his journey (via Euro Sport):

"I would just like to send a message to every young person out there, whatever you’re pursuing in the world, whether it's tennis, sports, or anything else. I was a seven-year-old dreaming that I could win Wimbledon and become number one in the world one day." (at 7:28)

He added, "One thing is for sure. I feel that I had the power to create my own destiny," Novak Djokovic added. "I tried to visualize every single thing in my life. Not only believe it but really feel it with every cell in my body." (at 7:49)

The Serb also advised younger generations to leave the past behind and make the most of their future, stating that the ability to do the same lies in their own hands.

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#2 "The tennis court for me in a way is a battlefield and a classroom—it allows me to share my passion with others."

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Novak Djokovic engaged in a meaningful conversation with motivational speaker Jay Shetty about their journeys and serving millions of people in their respective capacities.

The Serb was also one of the first guests on Shetty's podcast before the aforementioned conversation. As the two asked each other questions and shared their stories, Djokovic shed some light on his passion for the sport, which extends beyond the tennis court to his purpose of sharing his story and inspiring others. He said:

"The biggest purpose in life that's something that I start to feel only later, kind of midway through my career is where I start to feel okay, that's my purpose but it kind of originates from the self-interest. But now, my purpose all of a sudden is changing form and now it's about service .......I see it (tennis court) as a platform where I'm able to grow, where I feel that with all the suppressed programs, fears, emotions are surfacing like nowhere else in my life." (at 8:55)

“I see it as a platform where I’m able to grow. The tennis court for me in a way is a battlefield and a classroom—it allows me to share my passion with others." (at 9:36)

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#1 "Pressure is part of what we do. It's never going to go away."

Novak Djokovic reached the final of the 2023 Wimbledon Championship but lost to Carlos Alcaraz in what turned out to be a monumental match for both players. However, after winning the quarterfinals against Andrey Rublev, Djokovic equaled Roger Federer's record of 46 Major semifinals in men's singles.

As part of the on-court interview following the match, the journalist referenced a quote by tennis legend Billie Jean King, who mentioned how "pressure is a privilege", stating that regardless of the opponent, Djokovic is the one they all want to beat. Responding to the same, the Serb said (via Wimbledon):

"I love the pressure, I love it. I think any tennis player wants to be in a position where everyone wants to win against you in the court so you know it is a privilege as Billie Jean said. You know pressure is part of what we do, it's part of our sport it's never going to go away regardless of how many Grand Slams you win or how many matches you won or how many years that you're playing. " (at 2:31)

He further added, "The pressure is paramount every single time, especially here, the Centre Court at Wimbledon. But at the same time, it just awakens the most beautiful emotions in me and it motivates me beyond what I have ever dreamed of, and inspires me to play my best tennis. " (at 3:04)

Brad Gilbert, former coach of Andre Agassi also hailed the Serb for this statement that encapsulated the power of pressure.