Early Life and Education of Novak Djokovic: A Complete Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Novak Djokovic. A timeline of key moments.

Novak Djokovic is a Serbian professional tennis player widely regarded as one of the greatest of all time. He holds the record for most weeks ranked world No. 1 (428) and most year-end No. 1 finishes (8). Djokovic boasts a record 24 major men's singles titles, including a record ten Australian Open titles, totaling 100 singles titles. He's the only man to simultaneously hold all four major titles across three surfaces and the only man to achieve a triple Career Grand Slam. Additionally, he's the only player to complete a Career Golden Masters twice and the only singles player to have won all Big Titles.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Legacy & Impact

May 1987: Novak Djokovic Born

In May 1987, Novak Djokovic was born in Belgrade, SR Serbia, SFR Yugoslavia, to Dijana (née Žagar) and Srdjan Djokovic, marking the beginning of his life.

1993: Attends Tennis Camp

In the summer of 1993, at six years old, Novak Djokovic was sent to a tennis camp organized by Teniski Klub Partizan, overseen by Jelena Genčić, at Mount Kopaonik, where his parents ran a fast-food parlor, marking the beginning of his formal tennis training.

September 1999: Moves to Pilić Tennis Academy

In September 1999, due to his rapid development, Novak Djokovic moved to the Pilić tennis academy in Oberschleißheim, Germany, spending four years there to further his tennis training.

2005: Begins Dating Jelena Ristic

In 2005, Novak Djokovic began dating Jelena Ristić, who he met in high school, marking the start of their long-term relationship.

2005: Djokovic began venturing into the business world

In 2005, as Djokovic moved up the tennis rankings, he began venturing into the business world, primarily through Family Sport, a legal entity in Serbia.

2007: Djokovic founded the Novak Djokovic Foundation

In 2007, Djokovic founded the Novak Djokovic Foundation, aimed at helping children from disadvantaged communities.

2007: Djokovic began hosting Kosovo Serb children

Starting in 2007, Djokovic established a tradition of hosting and socializing with hundreds of Kosovo Serb children during Davis Cup matches organized in Serbia.

2008: Novak Café & Restaurant launched

In 2008, Novak Café & Restaurant was launched in Belgrade, marking the flagship location in a franchised chain.

2009: Confirms Choice to Represent Serbia

In 2009, Novak Djokovic confirmed that he chose to represent Serbia despite discussions about representing Great Britain, citing his strong national identity.

2009: Novak Café & Restaurant expanded

In 2009, two more Novak Café & Restaurant locations were added: one in Kragujevac and another in Belgrade.

2010: Djokovic participated in charity matches

In 2010, Djokovic participated in charity matches to raise funds for the reconstruction of the Avala Tower and to aid victims of the Haiti earthquake and Queensland floods.

2010: Association with Igor Četojević and Dietary Changes

Since 2010, Novak Djokovic has been connected with nutritionist Igor Četojević. Četojević identified Djokovic's gluten intolerance and recommended removing gluten from his diet. Djokovic later settled on a vegan diet and credited it for curing allergies and asthma.

June 2011: Awarded Order of Serbian National Defense and Belgrade Homecoming

On June 25, 2011, Novak Djokovic was awarded the Order of Serbian National Defense in America I class. The day after winning his first Wimbledon title in June 2011, he had a homecoming celebration in Belgrade attended by close to 100,000 people.

November 2011: Visit to Jelena Genčić and Expendables 2 Cameo

On November 28, 2011, Novak Djokovic visited his childhood coach Jelena Genčić, bringing the Wimbledon trophy. The next day, November 29, 2011, he filmed a cameo for The Expendables 2, which was later cut from the movie.

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December 2011: Novak Café & Restaurant opened in Novi Sad

On 16 December 2011, a Novak Café & Restaurant location was opened in Novi Sad.

2012: Djokovic selected as Arthur Ashe Humanitarian of the Year

Djokovic was selected as the 2012 Arthur Ashe Humanitarian of the Year for his contributions through the Novak Djokovic Foundation, his role as a UNICEF national ambassador, and other charitable projects.

September 2013: Djokovic Engaged to Jelena Ristić

In September 2013, Novak Djokovic became engaged to Jelena Ristić, marking a significant step in their relationship.

2013: Publication of "Serve to Win"

In 2013, Novak Djokovic wrote about water molecule reactions to emotions in his autobiography, Serve to Win.

July 2014: Djokovic Marries Jelena Ristić

On July 10, 2014, Novak Djokovic married Jelena Ristić on Montenegro's Sveti Stefan island, in the Church of Saint Stephen (Serbian: Црква Светог Архиђакона Стефана), formalizing their union.

October 2014: First Child Born

In October 2014, Novak Djokovic and Jelena Ristić welcomed their first child, a boy, expanding their family.

2014: Djokovic supported victims of Balkans floods

In 2014, Djokovic sparked worldwide support for victims of the Balkans floods. He donated his prize money from the Rome Masters, and his foundation collected an additional $600,000.

March 2015: Novak Café & Restaurant closed in Novi Sad

In late March 2015, the Novak Café & Restaurant location in Novi Sad closed after operating for just over three years.

August 2015: Djokovic appointed UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador

In August 2015, Djokovic was appointed a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.

August 2015: Novak Djokovic Foundation partnered with the World Bank

In August 2015, the Novak Djokovic Foundation partnered with the World Bank to promote early childhood education in Serbia.

October 2015: Novak Café & Restaurant opened in Banja Luka

On 16 October 2015, a Novak Café & Restaurant location opened in Banja Luka, Bosnia, within Hotel Trešnja.

2015: Djokovic Appointed UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador

In 2015, Novak Djokovic was appointed a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, recognizing his commitment to philanthropy and supporting children.

April 2016: Djokovic opened Eqvita in Monte Carlo

In April 2016, while in town for the Monte-Carlo Masters, Novak Djokovic opened a vegan restaurant called Eqvita in Monte Carlo.

2016: Djokovic donated to Melbourne City Mission

Following his 2016 Australian Open victory, Djokovic donated $20,000 to Melbourne City Mission's early childhood education program.

2016: Djokovic Elected ATP Player Council President

In 2016, Novak Djokovic was elected as the president of the ATP Player Council, demonstrating his leadership within the tennis community.

2017: Second Child Born

In 2017, Novak Djokovic and Jelena Ristić welcomed their daughter, adding another member to their family.

2018: Elbow Surgery and Reactions

Following his elbow surgery in 2018, Novak Djokovic expressed feeling guilty and cried for three days. He stated his preference for natural healing methods over surgeries and medications.

2018: Support for Croatia at FIFA World Cup

In 2018, Novak Djokovic showed public support for Croatia at the FIFA World Cup. He stated that "sports have their 'universal language,' they erase boundaries between people, [and] overcome differences in religion, race and nationality."

March 2019: Eqvita Restaurant Closed

In March 2019, the vegan restaurant Eqvita, which was owned by Novak Djokovic and located in Monte Carlo, reportedly closed.

March 2020: Djokovic donated to COVID-19 relief efforts

In March 2020, Djokovic and his wife announced a €1 million donation for ventilators and medical equipment in Serbia during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also donated to Bergamo, Italy, and regions in Serbia and Kosovo.

2020: Djokovic Co-Founds PTPA

In 2020, Novak Djokovic stepped down as ATP Player Council president to co-found the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) with Vasek Pospisil, aiming to give players more influence and better prize money.

December 2021: Djokovic tests positive for COVID-19

In December 2021, Novak Djokovic received an exemption from Tennis Australia and the Department of Health (Victoria), citing a positive COVID-19 test on December 16th.

April 2022: Novak Djokovic Foundation milestone

As of April 2022, the Novak Djokovic Foundation had built 50 schools and was building their 51st, supporting more than 20,800 children and over a thousand families.