No Fear Fear No
As a boy, Novak Djokovic faced war, economic struggles and the upheaval of an early separation from his much-loved family. As a man, those very same struggles not only provide perspective, but the passion to translate his history-making Australian Open title into a fully-fledged fight for Federer’s top spot. By Jeremy Styles
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hen Novak Djokovic returned home to Belgrade Others, though, knew what it had taken for the Serbian to with his shining new Australian Open trophy it progress so far. was to a crowd of 15,000 people, rapturous in their With a childhood shaped by war, economic struggles and the celebrations of Serbia’s first Grand Slam hero. The rousing upheaval of separating from his much-loved family before he was reception followed a flood of congratulatory messages, including a teenager, passion was always going to be central to Djokovic’s one from Argentine football legend Diego Maradona. success story. The mental strength gained from overcoming such “I am at a loss for words to describe how I feel and I am struggles is a quality that the 20-year-old now sees in himself, so grateful you all came to celebrate my victory with me,” as we’ll as other players who’ve defied economic and political proclaimed Djokovic after he’d thrown his racquet into the odds to capitalise on their natural abilities. adoring crowd. “As a child, I stood where you are standing “This is a professional sport and some have a more difficult now to admire our great athletes who had won silverware for way, some have an easier way. It just depends where you grow our country in the past and now here I am. It’s a very special up. It’s a matter of luck in the end, but that’s life. But probably feeling.” this hunger for the success which we all have and still have, you Added to the overwhelming sense of occasion for the young can see it in the girls like Sharapova and the Williams sisters and Serbian were the tales of Belgrade coming to a complete the girls and guys from Serbia,” Djokovic told reporters the day standstill as he claimed his 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, after his Australian Open triumph. 7-6(2) victory over Jo-Wilfried Tsonga “You see how much they appreciate “I play with a lot of emotions, in the final match at Melbourne Park. to be in that position and how much positive emotions, negative Bars and restaurants were flooded with energy and emotions they put on the emotions … I’m a guy with a supporters; the pancake and pizza parlor court. It’s quite amazing. I know for owned by Djokovic’s family at the Mount myself I play with a lot of emotions, lot of temperament, because Kopanik ski resort so full that many fans positive emotions, negative emotions. I know how much it means were turned away. But this is how I feel and how I am. I’m a to me to be in that position.” They were scenes that belied the fact guy with a lot of temperament, because that Djokovic’s ascension to Grand Slam I know how much it means to me to champion was, as far as some fans were concerned, a tricky be in that position. And I think that mental strength we have is one. While Serbian supporters were understandably whipped special.” into frenzied scenes of celebration, observers throughout the Certainly those challenges proved perfect preparation for world were considering the fact that the man they’d cast as the the ones that exist even at the upper echelons of the ATP Tour. “Djoker” stepped just as readily into the role of villain. Djokovic was the revelation of season 2007, with his five titles It wasn’t just the sheer brazenness of the 20-year-old upstart and US Open final taking him all the way to No. 3 but he crashed ousting local favorite Lleyton Hewitt before upending Grand spectacularly in his Tennis Masters Cup debut in Shanghai, Slam king Roger Federer in a surprisingly one-sided semi- failing to record a win against David Ferrer, Richard Gasquet or final (Federer’s first straight sets loss in a Grand Slam since the Rafael Nadal. 2004 French Open) that set tongues wagging. Having become Djokovic, who’d played more matches than any other player accustomed to crowd favorite status as he journeyed up the ATP on tour and had difficult wisdom tooth surgery in the weeks rankings in a breakthrough 2007 season, Djokovic unexpectedly beforehand, conceded that both exhaustion and expectation discovered the flipside in Melbourne. With some crazy-eyed had taken their toll. “It was a little bit unexpected to lose all celebrations, a few barbed exchanges with members of the three matches in Shanghai, even though I had (an) amazing crowd and an often over-the-top eagerness to incite the zealous season,” he recounted in Melbourne. “Probably there was a lot supporters in his player box, many wondered whether this of expectations … Plus, you know, the really exhausting season, a version of Djokovic was the same man who’d charmed supporters lot of matches, you just, you know, want to have some time off.” with his heartfelt and humorous run to the US Open final. In fact, so exhausting had the Serbian’s 2007 schedule been
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that his coach, Marian Vajda, feared that even after a break Djokovic might still be insufficiently prepared for the Australian Open. “We worked really hard for four weeks in Monte Carlo and Switzerland but I was worried that it might not be enough,” said the Czech-born Vajda. “Novak had finished the year feeling very tired and it was difficult to get going again … I never imagined that he would get a Grand Slam title so quickly after getting to the final of the US Open. But he deserves it because he has played wonderful tennis throughout the tournament.” Added to Djokovic’s long hours of preparation for Melbourne was the infallible self-belief that has shaped his success since childhood. “I always believed. You know, I always believed. I didn’t want to think in a negative way,” he said.“With the way I was playing throughout all the junior years and junior events, I think I earned enough confidence and motivation to be a professional tennis player and to be as a Grand Slam champion. “For somebody it was not realistic, for somebody, yes. And it was difficult to judge in that time because Serbia doesn’t have such a big tennis tradition. Considering all these bad times we had, you know, in the time when I grew up and was practicing there. So it was basically impossible if you look in it that way, but I always believed.” Now, having claimed the Grand Slam trophy he coveted for so many years, it seems obvious that Djokovic’s next ambition would be the bigger goal of challenging Rafael Nadal for Federer’s No. 1 ranking. But the Serbian insists he’s in no hurry. “I’m one of the players who is really trying to challenge him in that matter. You know, as a 20-year-old, I reached the third place in the world, but I’m really not trying to rush anywhere,” he explains. “I know the way he’s playing now on any surface he’s not
afp, getty images
john anthony
Some call him confident, others hint at arrogance … but nobody could deny Novak’s joy.
fuelled their son’s ambition on every step of the journey. Despite having no background in the game (Srdjan was, in fact, a professional skier) they worked long hours in the family restaurant to raise the funds to send the sponsorship-starved Novak to junior events throughout Europe. In 1995, they allowed their 12-year-old son to depart Serbia and attend the academy run by former Yugoslav star Niki Pilic, in Germany. “You can’t imagine what they’ve been through,” said Djokovic. “When you turn around now and see what we have been through as a family, we had to go through a difficult way, maybe a tougher way than somebody else. But it made us stronger.” It’s no coincidence that Djokovic now achieves his best results with the entire family by his side. During the Australian Open, Djokovic rented a South Yarra apartment for himself, his parents and two younger brothers, where they could cook their own meals and help maintain a semblance of normality as Djokovic pursued his Grand Slam dream. Djokovic was especially pleased with the inspiration that Marko and Djordje could glean from his Australian Open victory, with both brothers (aged 16 and 13 respectively) planning to follow Novak’s successful path onto the ATP Tour. “For them, it’s amazing to just be surrounded with all the best players in the world. They met a lot of great players. Now they have motivation more. It’s good they have me next to them so I can give them right advices in the right time,” he said. Judging by the influence that Srdjan and Dijana have had on his own career, Novak’s advice will be supplemented by an unapologetic belief in the boys’ success. Long before the family donned shirts spelling out Novak’s nickname (“Nole”, which apparently translates to “mountain” but according to Novak
With Marko and Djordje planning ATP careers, success is a family business for the Djokovics.
Now his country’s biggest star, Djokovic gives inspiration and practical support to young Serbian players.
Seeking more champagne moments, Djokovic is hopeful of another coaching stint with Mark Woodforde.
art seitz
really thinking of letting go of that first place in the world. We cannot forget, you know, Rafa Nadal is right behind him already for three years trying to get to the best place in the world.” Still, there is no question that Djokovic is eyeing bigger prizes on the ATP Tour, as are his many Serbian supporters (“See you at Roland Garros” read one banner at his welcome home reception). A semi-finalist or better at all four major events, Djokovic believes that a certain pressure has now been lifted from his shoulders. “For everybody who wins a Grand Slam, you have to give them a lot of appreciation and respect,” he said before departing Melbourne. “I just felt it now, what it feels like. Hopefully, you know, in the future I’m gonna feel it more.” Highlighting his intentions of claiming further glory, Djokovic hinted at his plans to re-unite with Mark Woodforde in a parttime coaching capacity in 2008. After honing his volleying skills with the Aussie doubles great last year, Djokovic experienced immediate benefits in the American hardcourt events, where he defeated Andy Roddick, Nadal and Federer to win the Montreal Masters, then went on to reach his first Grand Slam final at Flushing Meadows. “(Working with Woodforde) is one of the options,” said Djokovic. “It’s still open with Mark. We haven’t actually talked about working this season, but everything is possible – maybe in Indian Wells because he lives there. We’ll talk. I still need to improve my net game. I’m intending to go to the net more to use my opportunities because I have great groundstrokes and (am a) pretty aggressive player. I’m really looking forward to work on this element of my game so I can improve and be first player of the world.” Djokovic’s parents, father Srdjan and mother Dijana, have
A first Grand Slam title in Melbourne took the monkey off Novak’s back.
means nothing in particular) at Melbourne Park, his father had confidently predicted that the loss to Federer in the US Open final would ultimately lead to a breakthrough victory. “The last time, the US Open they played, my husband said, “This is the last time he win against Novak’. Because Novak was making the points with Federer’s weapon. He told him that he is so mature that he can win like him (Federer),” Dijana recounted to reporters in Melbourne, before adding that Novak’s Australian Open title would be the first of many Grand Slams. Federer, meanwhile, seems outwardly unfazed at the threat posed by the hungry new champion. After heading to the US in the wake of missing his first Grand Slam final in 10 events, the 12-time major winner took time to contemplate the true meaning of his Australian Open performance. “I honestly don’t feel like I need to prove anything,” he said in a media conference the following week. “It’s not like I feel anxious to go back on the tennis court to try to forget about what happened. I think I still did well under the circumstances – the fact I was sick and didn’t play a tournament before – and Djokovic was really playing a good match. “It’s important to look ahead and then get back on the practice court and get ready for the upcoming tournaments,” Federer added. “When you enter the year as number one that’s where you want to be and that’s where you want to be at the end of the year. I still try to push myself forward and still try to improve and that’s the key.” It sounds like Federer is the one man not getting caught in the hype that surrounding Djokovic. Or maybe Federer just knows that the only way to approach a man so fearlessness in the determination to dethrone his number one ranking is with an equal measure of that very same quality. l
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james knowler, getty images
clive rose, getty images