ATP official website exclusive interview: Life insights, career perspectives, growth advice, and fun Q&A

Novak Djokovic stands as one of the most exceptional athletes not just in tennis history but across the entire sports world. With the longest tenure at world No.1 in the PIF ATP rankings (428 weeks), he has set numerous records and gathered profound reflections on life and tennis.

On the eve of the Athens tournament, ATP’s official site interviewed Djokovic to delve into his mindset, his best career matches, what it feels like to be at the top of the sport, and much more.

Here are some highlights from the interview.

What is your personal motto in life?

My favorite saying is: “There are no shortcuts to success; only hard work leads the way.”

What is the best gift you have ever received?

A hand-drawn portrait of me and my family.

What advice would you give to all children about chasing their dreams?

First, believe in your dreams and never let anyone take away your hope and aspirations. I think children are incredibly imaginative and creative; they excel at envisioning themselves achieving success—whether in sports or other areas of life—becoming who they want to be and doing what they want to do.

So what we need to do is let them spread their wings, not clip them. Let them be their authentic selves because children’s imagination is truly remarkable.

What is the most important lesson you have learned since becoming a father?

The biggest lesson of fatherhood is to be fully present when spending time with your children, without multitasking. Whatever you’re doing—playing with them or otherwise—they need your full attention. You must live in the moment.

I believe this is what children teach us the most: to forgive, look forward, and cherish the present.

What is your favorite food?

My tastes vary, but I love sweets, so I would choosean acai bowl .

Which match in your career was the most spectacular?

The most remarkable matches I’ve played would bethe 2012 Australian Open final against Nadal—the longest Grand Slam final in history.

Also,the 2019 Wimbledon final against Federer—both were top-tier contests I experienced. But if I had to pick the best performance, it might bethe 2019 Australian Open final versus Nadal—where I won in straight sets playing at a very high level of tennis.

You have spent more weeks ranked No.1 than anyone else; how does it feel to be at the top?

It feels great but also a bit lonely. You realize you are the target everyone is chasing, which changes your perspective and how you act. Clearly, being No.1 is the ultimate honor in any sport or profession. It was my childhood dream to win Wimbledon and become world No.1.

So once you achieve that goal, you understand staying at the top requires a different approach and mindset. You suddenly shift from being the “chaser” to the “defender.” It’s a wonderful feeling, but you also want to hold on to that honor, sometimes becoming a bit cautious because you want to keep it so badly.

The key is how you adjust your mentality. I think it’s important to always maintain the mindset of “keep creating, keep moving forward, keep winning,” seeing yourself as still chasing titles or ranking. Once you start thinking “I’m No.1 and everyone wants my spot,” you create unnecessary pressure on yourself.

What do you think is the biggest key to your success?

Focus. Passion and focus. The love and enthusiasm for this sport make you fully commit to what you do.

Among the players you have faced, who do you think is the most underrated?

I believe it isStan Wawrinka. He is a three-time Grand Slam champion whose value and strength have been seriously underestimated. People often forget his achievements—he has been more successful than over 90% of players in tennis history, so I would pick him.

If you could give your younger self any advice about playing tennis, what would it be?

I would tell myself to think long-term, be patient, and trust the process. At the same time, enjoy the journey and find joy in it.

Balance your professional and personal life. Yes, focus, dedication, and hard work are necessary, but don’t lose yourself in the process. Don’t waste your youth; it means you should also live well because time once gone never returns.

If you could borrow any shot technique from another player, what would you choose?

I’d like to borrow the serving skills of those “serve machines,” like Karlovic, Isner, or Opelka—anyone taller than 6 feet 10 inches (about 2.08 meters).

If you could play in a historic classic match you never participated in, which one would you choose?

I might choose alegendary duel between Borg and McEnroeand watch it from the stands. Or, I’d like the chance to play with a wooden racquet to feel the difference—I’d probably struggle to hit strong topspin shots with it.

But I love the history of this sport; it’s fascinating to see how tennis has evolved technically and otherwise over the past 50 years. So I really want to witness that era.

You have had long-term rivalries with Federer and Nadal, and now you are building new ones with Alcaraz and Sinner. How do you compare these two types of rivalries?

They are very different. Most of my career was spent competing against the two greatest players—Nadal and Federer. Of course, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are now my rivals, but they are very young. I have been on tour 15 years longer than them, so our rivalry has only lasted a few years, while my rivalry with those two has lasted 20 years; there’s no comparison.

But certainly, the new top-level rivalry between Sinner and Alcaraz is good for the sport. They have played many exciting matches over the past 18 months, and I hope they keep it up because that’s exactly what our sport needs.

If you had to describe tennis player Djokovic in one word, what would it be?

I’d use Nick Kyrgios’s description of me: meticulous.

This is the assessment Kyrgios gave after training with me.

If you could change the outcome of one match in your career, which would it be?

None. Because everything happens for a reason.

Note: Acai Bowl

An acai bowl is a healthy dessert made from pureed acai berries, originating from Brazil and now popular worldwide.

- Main ingredients: Frozen acai berries blended into a base, topped with granola, fresh fruits (such as bananas, strawberries, blueberries), nuts, coconut flakes, honey, or chia seeds.

- Taste and texture: Creamy and rich with a balance of acai’s tartness and the sweetness of fruits and grains, served chilled for a refreshing treat.

- Nutritional benefits: Acai is rich in anthocyanins, antioxidants, and dietary fiber. Combined with various toppings, it offers a balanced nutrition often chosen for breakfast or post-workout energy.

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