History of Novak Djokovic in Timeline
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.
1969: Rod Laver Holds All Four Majors Simultaneously
In 1969, Rod Laver was the last man to hold all four majors simultaneously before Novak Djokovic achieved the feat in 2016.
1976: Connors and Ashe Doubles Pairing
In 2010, at the Canadian Open, Novak Djokovic teamed with Rafael Nadal in doubles, marking the first pairing of world No. 1 and No. 2 players since Jimmy Connors and Arthur Ashe in 1976.
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: Jelena Genčić coached Djokovic
In 1993, Jelena Gencic started coaching Djokovic in Belgrade and continued until 1999.
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.
1994: Becker Beats Top Three Ranked Players
In 2007, Novak Djokovic became the first player since Boris Becker in 1994 to beat the top three ranked players in a single event, claiming the title at the Canadian Open.
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.
1999: Nikola Pilić coached Djokovic
In 1999, Nikola Pilić started working with Djokovic in Munich and continued until 2003.
2001: Dominates U14 Circuit
In 2001, Novak Djokovic dominated the U14 circuit on the Tennis Europe Junior Tour, winning multiple titles, including the U14 European Championship in Sanremo, and leading Serbia to victory in the European Summer Cup.
2002: Wins U16 Tournaments in France
In 2002, competing in U16 events, Novak Djokovic won two major tournaments in France: the Derby Cadets in La Baule and Le Pontet in Avignon, showcasing his talent at a young age.
January 2003: First Professional Match
In January 2003, Novak Djokovic played his first professional match at a Futures event in Oberschleißheim, marking the beginning of his professional career.
2003: Nikola Pilić coached Djokovic
In 2003, Nikola Pilić stopped working with Djokovic in Munich.
2003: Competes in Junior Grand Slams
In 2003, Novak Djokovic competed at the French Open and US Open as a junior player, gaining experience on the Grand Slam stage.
2003: Djokovic Begins Professional Career
In 2003, Novak Djokovic started his professional tennis career, marking the beginning of his journey to becoming a top-ranked player.
2003: Pete Sampras retires
In 2003, Pete Sampras retired and was considered by some to be the greatest male tennis player of all time.
2003: Djokovic wore Adidas clothing
In 2003, upon turning professional, Djokovic began wearing Adidas clothing.
February 2004: Junior World Ranking of No. 24
In February 2004, Novak Djokovic achieved a combined junior world ranking of No. 24, reflecting his success in junior tennis.
2004: Dejan Petrović coached Djokovic
In 2004, Dejan Petrović started coaching Djokovic.
2004: End of the Big Four Domination
In 2004, Novak Djokovic did not feature in the top spot, which was held by a player outside the Big Four.
2004: First ATP Win and Challenger Title
In 2004, Novak Djokovic recorded his first official ATP win during a Davis Cup match and later claimed his first Challenger title in Budapest, demonstrating his progress in professional tennis.
2004: Djokovic's career handled by Amit Naor and Allon Khakshouri
Since 2004, the business end of Djokovic's career was handled by Israeli managers Amit Naor and Allon Khakshouri.
2005: Dejan Petrović coached Djokovic
In 2005, Dejan Petrović coached Djokovic, during which time he rose from outside the top 300 to inside the top 100. Late in the year, Riccardo Piatti took over coaching responsibilities.
2005: Djokovic switched sponsors to Wilson
In 2005, Djokovic switched sponsors to Wilson, but Wilson had to make him a custom racquet to match his previous one with Head.
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: Grand Slam Debut
In 2005, Novak Djokovic made his Grand Slam debut at the Australian Open and achieved his first Slam win at the French Open, marking his entry into the highest levels of tennis competition.
2005: First Major Title Since 2005 Australian Open Not Won By Federer or Nadal
In 2008, at the Australian Open, Djokovic beat unseeded Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in four sets in the final, claiming his first Grand Slam singles title. It was the first major title since the 2005 Australian Open not won by Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal.
2005: End of Consecutive Grand Slam Appearances
On 26 July 2017, Novak Djokovic announced he would miss the US Open and the rest of the season to recover from his injury. This ended his streak of 51 consecutive Grand Slam appearances since his debut in 2005.
April 2006: Secures Davis Cup Win for Serbia and Montenegro
On April 9, 2006, Novak Djokovic secured a Davis Cup win for Serbia and Montenegro by defeating Greg Rusedski, helping his team retain their place in the Group One Euro/African Zone.
2006: Marián Vajda became Djokovic's main coach
In 2006, Marián Vajda became Djokovic's main coach and remained so until 2017. Djokovic briefly worked with Riccardo Piatti from late 2005 to mid-2006.
December 2007: Recognition at NAJJ Srbije
In early December 2007, Novak Djokovic was honored at a sports-entertainment show called NAJJ Srbije (The Best of Serbia), along with Ana Ivanovic, Jelena Janković, and Janko Tipsarević, celebrating their successes in the 2007 season.
2007: Djokovic founded the Novak Djokovic Foundation
In 2007, Djokovic founded the Novak Djokovic Foundation, aimed at helping children from disadvantaged communities.
2007: Mark Woodforde collaborated with Djokovic
In 2007, Mark Woodforde worked occasionally with Djokovic as a specialist.
2007: Breakthrough Season
In 2007, Novak Djokovic won the Adelaide title, reached the fourth round of the Australian Open, and had strong showings at Indian Wells and Miami Masters, where he finished runner-up and champion respectively, propelling him into the top 10.
2007: Djokovic's Early Exit at the Australian Open
In January 2017, At the Australian Open, Novak Djokovic lost in the second round, marking his first early exit since 2007.
2007: Djokovic's Comedic Impressions
Throughout 2007, Djokovic's comedic impressions of fellow tennis players like Maria Sharapova, Rafael Nadal, and others gained media attention. It started with a BBC recording at Queen's Club Championships before Wimbledon, and later at the US Open with locker room impressions.
May 2008: Eurovision Song Contest Appearance
In May 2008, Novak Djokovic was a special guest during the first semifinal of the Eurovision Song Contest held in Belgrade. He threw a tennis ball into the crowd, announced the start of the voting, and sang "Beograde" with Željko Joksimović.
June 2008: Djokovic signed with CAA Sports
In June 2008, after Amit Naor and Allon Khakshouri partnered with CAA Sports, Djokovic formally signed with CAA Sports.
2008: Djokovic re-signed with Head
In 2008, Djokovic re-signed with Head and debuted a new paint job of the Head YouTek Speed Pro at the 2009 Australian Open.
2008: Edoardo Artaldi became Djokovic's agent
In 2008, Edoardo Artaldi became Djokovic’s agent, and their professional relationship lasted until 2023.
2008: Novak Café & Restaurant launched
In 2008, Novak Café & Restaurant was launched in Belgrade, marking the flagship location in a franchised chain.
2008: 2008 Season Highlights
In 2008, Novak Djokovic reached the semifinals in Dubai, and won titles at Indian Wells and the Italian Open, marking his third and fourth Masters titles respectively. He was defeated by Nadal in the semifinals of both Hamburg and the French Open. On grass, he lost to Nadal in the Queen’s Club final and suffered a second-round loss at Wimbledon. He reached the quarterfinals at the Rogers Cup and was a finalist in Cincinnati. At the 2008 Summer Olympics, he won a bronze medal in singles.
2008: Djokovic Wins Bronze at Beijing Olympics
In 2008, Novak Djokovic won the bronze medal in singles at the Beijing Olympics, a notable achievement early in his career.
2008: Djokovic Wins First Major Title at Australian Open
In 2008, at the age of 20, Novak Djokovic won his first major title at the Australian Open, breaking the dominance of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
May 2009: Inaugural edition of Serbia Open
In May 2009, the inaugural edition of the Serbia Open was held at the "Milan Gale Muškatirović" courts in Belgrade.
May 2009: Guest on Fiorello Show and El Hormiguero
Throughout late April and early May 2009, during ATP Master Series tournaments in Rome and Madrid, Novak Djokovic appeared as a guest on the Fiorello Show on Sky Uno, hosted by Rosario Fiorello, and on Pablo Motos' show El Hormiguero.
2009: Djokovic signed with Sergio Tacchini
At the end of 2009, Djokovic signed a 10-year deal with the Italian clothing company Sergio Tacchini after Adidas declined to extend his contract.
2009: Technical difficulties and switch to Head racket series
In 2009, Djokovic experienced technical difficulties coinciding with his switch to the Head racket series. Despite these challenges, his serve became a major weapon again.
2009: 2009 Season Highlights
In 2009, Novak Djokovic began the year at the Brisbane International, where he was upset in the first round. At the Australian Open, he retired in the quarterfinals. He won the Dubai Championships. He reached finals at both the Monte Carlo Masters and Italian Open. He claimed his second title of the year at the Serbia Open. He reached the final of the Gerry Weber Open on grass, and then fell to Haas again in the quarterfinals of Wimbledon. During the 2009 US Open Series, he reached the quarterfinals in Montreal, then made the final in Cincinnati. At the US Open, he reached the semifinals.
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: Djokovic debuted Head YouTek Speed Pro
In 2009, Novak Djokovic debuted a new paint job of the Head YouTek Speed Pro at the Australian Open after re-signing with Head.
2009: Todd Martin coached Djokovic
In 2009, Todd Martin began coaching Djokovic.
2009: Novak Café & Restaurant expanded
In 2009, two more Novak Café & Restaurant locations were added: one in Kragujevac and another in Belgrade.
2009: Earliest Slam Exit Since 2009 French Open
In 2016, At Wimbledon, Djokovic's 30-match Grand Slam winning streak ended with a third-round loss, his earliest Slam exit since the 2009 French Open.
2010: "Big Three" Era Begins
By 2010, Novak Djokovic had distinguished himself, leading to the formation of the "Big Three" alongside Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
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: Appearance in "Hello" music video and tribute song "The Joker"
In 2010, Novak Djokovic appeared in the music video for the song "Hello" by Martin Solveig and Dragonette. Also in 2010, the Serbian blues-rock band Zona B recorded the song "The Joker", dedicating it to Djokovic.
2010: 2010 Season Highlights
In 2010, Novak Djokovic began the season at the exhibition AAMI Classic. At the Australian Open, he fell to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the quarterfinals. He won the Dubai Championships, defending an ATP title for the first time. In March, he led Serbia to a 3–2 win over the United States in the 2010 Davis Cup. At the French Open, he lost to Jürgen Melzer in the quarterfinals. He captured his first ATP doubles title at the Aegon Championships with Jonathan Erlich. At Wimbledon, he lost in the semifinals to Tomáš Berdych. At the Canadian Open, Djokovic reached the semifinals. He also teamed with Nadal in doubles.
2010: Djokovic Leads Serbia to Davis Cup Title
In 2010, Novak Djokovic led the Serbian national tennis team to its first Davis Cup title, a significant achievement for Serbian tennis.
2010: Todd Martin coached Djokovic
In 2010, Todd Martin continued coaching Djokovic, marking the end of their collaboration.
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.
August 2011: Djokovic became brand ambassador of Audemars Piguet
In August 2011, Djokovic became the brand ambassador of Swiss watch manufacturer Audemars Piguet.
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.
December 2011: Novak Café & Restaurant opened in Novi Sad
On 16 December 2011, a Novak Café & Restaurant location was opened in Novi Sad.
2011: Djokovic wore custom Adidas shoes
From 2011, Djokovic began wearing custom Red and Blue Adidas Barricade 6.0's shoes, referring to the colors of the Serbian national flag.
2011: Djokovic switched to Head YouTek IG Speed
In 2011, Djokovic switched to the Head YouTek IG Speed (18x20) paint job.
2011: Tacchini contract was terminated
In 2011, Djokovic's success caused Sergio Tacchini to fall behind on bonus payments, leading to the termination of the sponsorship contract.
2011: Jimmy Connors assesses Djokovic's season
In 2011, Jimmy Connors assessed Djokovic's season, noting his "old-school" playing style of taking the ball early and driving it flat, which allowed him to turn defense into offense effectively.
2011: Djokovic Ascends to World No. 1
In 2011, Novak Djokovic reached the No. 1 ranking for the first time, winning three major titles and a then-record five Masters titles.
2011: Nadal praises Djokovic's peak level of performance
In 2011, Rafael Nadal, after losing all six matches against Djokovic that season, stated that Djokovic's level was "probably the highest level of tennis that I ever saw."
March 2012: Djokovic announced as Learjet brand ambassador
In March 2012, Bombardier Aerospace announced Djokovic as its latest Learjet brand ambassador.
March 2012: Profiled on 60 Minutes
In March 2012, Novak Djokovic was profiled on the CBS show 60 Minutes by correspondent Bob Simon.
April 2012: Tacchini deal fell apart
By April 2012, the Tacchini deal had fallen first short and then apart.
May 2012: Uniqlo appointed Djokovic as its global brand ambassador
On 23 May 2012, Uniqlo appointed Djokovic as its global brand ambassador with a five-year sponsorship, reportedly worth €8 million per year, that began on 27 May 2012 at the French Open.
December 2012: Djokovic switched representation to IMG Worldwide
In December 2012, after his contract with CAA Sports expired, Djokovic switched representation to IMG Worldwide.
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.
2012: Djokovic appeared in Head commercial with Maria Sharapova
In 2012, Djokovic appeared in a television commercial with Maria Sharapova promoting the use of Head rackets for techniques such as golf and ten-pin bowling.
2012: Djokovic beats Nadal in 2012 Australian Open final
In 2012, Djokovic beat Nadal in the Australian Open final in five long and grueling sets. The match is considered one of the greatest contests ever.
2012: 2012 Season Highlights
In 2012, Novak Djokovic began the season by winning the Australian Open, defeating Rafael Nadal in the final. He retained his Miami title. Djokovic fell to Nadal in the finals of both Monte Carlo and the Italian Open. At the French Open, he reached his first final at the tournament. At Wimbledon, he was beaten by Federer in the semifinals. Djokovic was Serbia's flag bearer at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, finishing fourth. He defended his Rogers Cup title, but lost the Cincinnati Masters final to Federer.
2012: Djokovic comments on modern style of play
In 2012, after his semifinal win against Andy Murray in the Australian Open tournament, Djokovic commented on the modern style of play in an interview with Jim Courier.
2012: Serbia Open folded
In 2012, the Serbia Open folded after four editions, and its place in the ATP calendar was taken over by the Düsseldorf Open.
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: Djokovic updated his paint job to Head Graphene Speed Pro
In 2013, Djokovic updated his paint job to the Head Graphene Speed Pro, which included an extensive promotional campaign.
2013: Djokovic's footwear deal with Adidas was announced
In 2013, Djokovic's long-term footwear deal with Adidas was announced ahead of the French Open.
2013: 2013 Season Highlights
In 2013, Novak Djokovic began his season at the Hopman Cup. At the Australian Open, he defeated Andy Murray in the final to win a record third consecutive Australian Open title in the Open Era. Djokovic helped Serbia take a 2–0 lead over Belgium in the 2013 Davis Cup World Group first round. He then won the 2013 Dubai Tennis Championships. At Indian Wells, Djokovic's 22-match winning streak was ended. At the Miami Masters, he was upset in the fourth round. He won the 2013 Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters. He advanced to the semifinals at the 2013 French Open. At Wimbledon, Djokovic lost the final to Murray. Djokovic was a finalist at the US Open. He won the China Open and the Shanghai Masters. He claimed the Paris Masters. Djokovic ended the year by winning the 2013 ATP World Tour Finals.
2013: Publication of "Serve to Win"
In 2013, Novak Djokovic wrote about water molecule reactions to emotions in his autobiography, Serve to Win.
2013: Djokovic vs Wawrinka at 2013 Australian Open
The 2013 Australian Open fourth round match between Novak Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka is considered one of the greatest contests ever.
January 2014: Djokovic began endorsing Peugeot and Seiko
From January 2014, Djokovic began endorsing French car manufacturer Peugeot and Japanese watch manufacturer Seiko, ending his affiliation with Audemars Piguet.
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: Boris Becker Joins Djokovic's Team
In 2013, Novak Djokovic ended the season with a 24-match winning streak and later announced that Boris Becker would join his team as head coach for 2014.
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.
2014: 2014 Season Highlights
In 2014, Novak Djokovic began the year by winning the Mubadala World Tennis Championship. At the Australian Open, he reached the quarterfinals. He won the Indian Wells Masters and the Miami Masters. He won the Italian Open and donated his prize to victims of the 2014 Southeast Europe floods. At the French Open, Djokovic lost to Nadal in the final. Djokovic won his second Wimbledon title and reclaimed the world No. 1 ranking. At the US Open, he reached the semifinals. He won a fifth China Open title and claimed the Paris Masters. At the ATP Finals, he set a record by dropping just nine games in the round-robin stage. Djokovic secured the year-end No. 1 ranking for the third time.
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.
May 2015: Djokovic launched Djokolife
In May 2015, Novak Djokovic launched Djokolife, a line of nutritional food products.
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's Most Successful Season
In 2015, Novak Djokovic had his most successful season, reaching a record 15 consecutive finals and winning a record 10 Big Titles.
2015: 2015 Season Highlights
In 2015, Novak Djokovic started at the Qatar Open, losing in the quarterfinals. He won the Australian Open, earning a record fifth title. He finished runner-up at the Dubai Championships. Djokovic won his 21st Masters title at Indian Wells, and his fifth title at Miami, becoming the first player to win the Indian Wells–Miami double three times. In April, Djokovic won the Monte-Carlo Masters for the second time. He captured the Rome Masters. At the French Open, Djokovic lost the final to Stan Wawrinka. He won his third Wimbledon title. At the US Open, Djokovic won his third Grand Slam of the year. He ended the season by winning the China Open for a sixth time.
2015: Djokovic Appointed UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador
In 2015, Novak Djokovic was appointed a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, recognizing his commitment to philanthropy and supporting children.
2015: Djokovic partnered with ANZ and Jacob's Creek
In early 2015, ahead of the Australian Open, Djokovic teamed up with Australian banking corporation ANZ for a social media campaign. Also, his partnership with Jacob's Creek was announced for the 'Made By' film series.
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.
April 2016: Djokovic Claims Sixth Miami Open Title
On April 3, 2016, Novak Djokovic won the Miami Open without dropping a set, claiming his sixth title and tying Andre Agassi's record. This was his fourth Sunshine Double, most in history, and third consecutive. The win made him the all-time ATP prize money leader with $98.2 million.
2016: Nadal reiterates praise after Qatar Open final
Following a decisive loss in the 2016 Qatar Open final, Rafael Nadal reiterated his praise for Djokovic, stating, "I played against a player who did everything perfectly. I don't know anybody who's ever played tennis like this. Since I know this sport I've never seen somebody playing at this level."
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: First Round Loss at the Summer Olympics
In 2016, Novak Djokovic lost in the first round of an ATP Tournament for the first time since the Summer Olympics.
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.
2016: Djokovic Completes Career Grand Slam
In 2016, Novak Djokovic won the French Open, completing his first Career Grand Slam and a non-calendar year Grand Slam, becoming the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to hold all four majors simultaneously.
May 2017: Djokovic unveiled as brand ambassador of Lacoste
On 22 May 2017, Djokovic was unveiled as a brand ambassador of Lacoste after a five-year partnership with Uniqlo.
2017: Marián Vajda ended his time as Djokovic's main coach
In 2017, Marián Vajda ended his time as Djokovic's main coach, having served in that role since 2006.
2017: Second Child Born
In 2017, Novak Djokovic and Jelena Ristić welcomed their daughter, adding another member to their family.
2017: Djokovic Suffers Elbow Injury
In 2017, Novak Djokovic suffered from an elbow injury, impacting his performance until the 2018 Wimbledon Championships.
2017: Nadal describes Djokovic as an invincible player
In 2017, Rafael Nadal stated that "at a technical level, when Djokovic has been at the top of his game, I have to say that I've been up against an invincible player."
January 2018: Djokovic started wearing Asics shoes
Since January 2018, Novak Djokovic has been wearing Asics shoes.
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: Djokovic vs Nadal at 2018 Wimbledon semifinal
In 2018, Djokovic and Nadal played in the Wimbledon semifinal, which lasted five brutal sets played over two days, and is considered to be one of the greatest contests ever.
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."
2018: Elbow surgery and return to practice
In 2018, Novak Djokovic won the Kooyong Classic exhibition against Dominic Thiem. He reached the fourth round of the Australian Open, losing to Chung Hyeon and in late January, he underwent elbow surgery. He returned to practice in early March and played at Indian Wells and Miami Open with early losses. He reunited with coach Marián Vajda at the Monte-Carlo Masters.
2018: Djokovic Wins Wimbledon
In 2018, Novak Djokovic won the Wimbledon Championships while ranked No. 21 in the world, marking his return to dominant form.
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.
2019: Andre Agassi interview with the Times of India
In 2019, Andre Agassi gave an interview with the Times of India.
2019: Djokovic vs Federer at 2019 Wimbledon final
In 2019, Djokovic played against Roger Federer in the Wimbledon final, which lasted five sets and is considered the longest Wimbledon final in history, and one of the greatest contests ever.
2019: Record Seventh Australian Open and Fifth Paris Masters Titles
In 2019, Novak Djokovic began the year at the Qatar Open and then won his record seventh Australian Open title by defeating Rafael Nadal. He reached the quarterfinals of the Monte-Carlo Masters. He celebrated his 250th week at world number 1 during the Madrid Open and won the title. He defended his title at Wimbledon, and won his fifth Paris Masters title.
2019: Djokovic returns to Indian Wells Masters after several years
In 2019, Novak Djokovic returned to the Indian Wells Masters after several years since his last appearance.
April 2020: Opposition to COVID-19 Vaccination
In April 2020, during the ATP Tour's shutdown, Novak Djokovic expressed his opposition to mandatory COVID-19 vaccination, stating he wouldn't want to be forced to take a vaccine to return to the tour.
August 2020: Djokovic formed the PTPA
In August 2020, Novak Djokovic resigned from the Players Council of the Association of Tennis Professionals and formed the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) with Vasek Pospisil, serving as co-presidents.
2020: Belief in Prayer and Water Reactions
In 2020, Novak Djokovic expressed his belief that prayer and gratitude can transform toxic food or polluted water into healing water, claiming that scientists have proven water molecules react to emotions.
2020: Victory at ATP Cup and Australian Open, COVID-19 Controversy
In 2020, Novak Djokovic led Serbia to victory at the inaugural ATP Cup, including wins over Daniil Medvedev and Rafael Nadal. He won his eighth Australian Open title and regained the world No. 1 ranking. In June, he tested positive for COVID-19 during the Adria Tour he organized, leading to criticism over safety protocols.
2020: Djokovic Leads Serbia to ATP Cup Title
In 2020, Novak Djokovic led Serbia to win the inaugural ATP Cup title, adding another accolade to his and his nation's achievements.
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.
2020: French Open and Wimbledon Wins, Olympic Disappointment
In 2020, Novak Djokovic won the French Open, defeating Nadal in the semifinal and Tsitsipas in the final. He won Wimbledon, earning his 100th grass-court win and tying Federer and Nadal with 20 major titles. At the Summer Olympics, he lost in the semifinals and bronze match and withdrew from the mixed doubles bronze match.
April 2021: Djokovic became brand ambassador for RBI
In April 2021, Djokovic became a brand ambassador for Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI) and its subsidiaries in Central and Eastern Europe.
April 2021: Freshwater Snail Named After Djokovic
In April 2021, a team of Balkan biospeleologists named a recently discovered freshwater snail species Travunijana djokovici after Novak Djokovic.
November 2021: Djokovic granted visa to compete in the Australian Open
In November 2021, Novak Djokovic was granted a visa on November 18th to compete in the Australian Open.
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.
2021: Medvedev labels Djokovic the "greatest tennis player in history"
In 2021, Daniil Medvedev called Novak Djokovic the "greatest tennis player in history" after winning his first major title at the US Open against Djokovic.
2021: Ninth Australian Open Title and Record Weeks at World No. 1
In 2021, Novak Djokovic won his ninth Australian Open title, defeating Daniil Medvedev. On March 1st, he surpassed Roger Federer's record of 310 weeks as world No. 1. He suffered early losses at the Monte-Carlo Masters and Serbia Open, and reached the final of the Italian Open.
2021: Pete Sampras comments on Djokovic's record-breaking year
In 2021, after Novak Djokovic earned a record-breaking seventh year-end No. 1 finish, Pete Sampras, once considered the greatest male tennis player, made a statement regarding the achievement.
2021: Increased Scrutiny over Vaccination Stance
In late 2021, Novak Djokovic's views on vaccination came under increased scrutiny leading up to the 2022 Australian Open due to vaccination requirements for entry.
January 2022: Confirmation of Unvaccinated Status to Australian Border Force
In January 2022, Novak Djokovic confirmed to the Australian Border Force that he was unvaccinated, during an interview upon his arrival in Australia.
February 2022: BBC Interview: Sticking to Principles
In February 2022, Novak Djokovic stated in an interview with the BBC that he believes in personal freedom of choice regarding vaccination and would forgo tournaments in countries mandating the vaccine, even if it cost him records and his career.
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.
2022: Split with Marián Vajda
In 2017, Novak Djokovic split with longtime coach Marián Vajda. He won the Eastbourne International—his only tournament win without Vajda until their 2022 split.
2022: Federer: Twelve Final Days Documentary
In 2022, Novak Djokovic appears in the documentary Federer: Twelve Final Days about Roger Federer's final tournament before his retirement, the 2022 Laver Cup.
2022: Djokovic Misses Tournaments Due to Vaccination Status
In 2022, Novak Djokovic was forced to miss several tournaments, including the Australian Open and the US Open, due to his opposition to the COVID-19 vaccine. He was deported from Australia.
2022: Australian Open Visa Controversy and Deportation
In 2022, Novak Djokovic was involved in a controversy regarding his participation in the Australian Open. Despite receiving a medical exemption and a visa, he was detained by the Australian Border Force due to failing to meet entry requirements for unvaccinated travelers. His visa was cancelled, and after a legal battle, he was deported.
2022: Consequences of Vaccination Stance
In 2022, Novak Djokovic's stance against the COVID-19 vaccine led to him being unable to play the 2022 Australian Open and the 2022 US Open. He also lost the No. 1 ranking.
2022: Book "Facing Novak Djokovic" Published
In 2022, a book titled Facing Novak Djokovic, a compilation of interviews with ATP players about competing against Djokovic, was published.
2022: Beetle Named Duvalius djokovici
In 2022, a new species of beetle in the genus Duvalius, discovered near Ljubovija, Serbia, was named Duvalius djokovici after Novak Djokovic.
2023: "Kosovo is the heart of Serbia. Stop the violence"
Following his victory in the first round of the 2023 French Open, Djokovic wrote "Kosovo is the heart of Serbia. Stop the violence" on the lens of a camera, in response to the recent clashes in Kosovo.
2023: Boris Becker compares Djokovic to sports legends
In 2023, Boris Becker compared Djokovic to Lionel Messi, Tom Brady, and LeBron James in their respective sports, referring to him as "the lion king."
2023: Edoardo Artaldi ended his time as Djokovic's agent
In 2023, Edoardo Artaldi ended his time as Djokovic’s agent, after being Djokovic’s agent since 2008.
2023: Djokovic loses Wimbledon final to Alcaraz
In 2023, Novak Djokovic lost the Wimbledon final to Carlos Alcaraz.
2023: 10th Australian Open and 23rd Major Title
In 2023, Novak Djokovic opened the year with his 92nd title at the Adelaide International and went on to win a record-extending 10th Australian Open title. He won his 23rd major at the French Open, becoming the first man to achieve a triple Career Grand Slam. He lost the Wimbledon final to Alcaraz and then won the Cincinnati Masters.
2023: Djokovic vs Alcaraz at 2023 Cincinnati Masters final
In 2023, Novak Djokovic played against Carlos Alcaraz in the Cincinnati Masters final, which is considered the longest best-of-three-sets final in ATP Tour history and one of the greatest contests ever.
2023: Mardy Fish declares Djokovic in 2011 as the "best player of all time"
In 2023, former world No. 7 Mardy Fish declared that Djokovic in 2011 was the "best player of all time."
2023: Djokovic Reclaims Australian Open
In 2023, one year after the visa controversy, Novak Djokovic made a successful comeback to win the Australian Open, also claiming the all-time record for most men's singles major titles.
July 2024: Vogue Adria Cover and Tiebreak Video Game Appearance
In July 2024, Novak Djokovic became the first man and the first athlete on the cover of Vogue Adria. He also appeared on the front cover of the 2024 video game Tiebreak: Official game of the ATP and WTA, alongside Coco Gauff.
November 2024: Djokovic began working with Andy Murray as coach
In November 2024, Djokovic started working with Andy Murray as his coach.
2024: Djokovic Completes Career Sweep of Big Titles
In 2024, Novak Djokovic became the only player to complete a career sweep of the Big Titles.
2024: Djokovic's Performance in 2024: Challenges and Triumphs
In 2024, Novak Djokovic faced challenges at the Australian Open, losing in the semifinals to Jannik Sinner. He experienced early exits at Indian Wells and Rome but reached the semifinals at the Monte-Carlo Masters. He won his 1,100th career win at the Geneva Open. He withdrew from the French Open due to a knee injury. At the Summer Olympics, he defeated Carlos Alcaraz to win the gold medal, completing a Career Golden Slam and Career Super Slam.
2024: Djokovic Wins Gold at Paris Olympics
In 2024, Novak Djokovic won the gold medal in singles at the Paris Olympics, marking a significant milestone in his career.
2024: Nadal calls Djokovic the greatest tennis player of all time
In 2024, Rafael Nadal called Novak Djokovic the greatest tennis player of all time.
May 2025: 100th ATP Singles Title and Murray Split
In May 2025, it was announced that Andy Murray would no longer be working as Novak Djokovic's coach, by mutual agreement after Djokovic started working with Murray in November 2024. Also in May 2025, Djokovic won the Geneva Open, claiming his 100th ATP singles title.
2025: Current Through the 2025 French Open
As of 2025, the information is current through the French Open.
2025: Djokovic's Performance at the Australian Open 2025
In 2025, Novak Djokovic opened the season at the Brisbane International and reached the fourth round of the Australian Open, marking his 430th major main draw singles match. He retired in his semifinal match against Alexander Zverev due to a muscle tear.
2025: Djokovic Surpasses Nadal's Record for Masters 1000 Wins
In 2025, at the Miami Open, Novak Djokovic reached the third round, equalling Rafael Nadal's record of 410 Masters 1000-level wins. He surpassed Nadal's record with his 411th career main draw win at Masters 1000 level.
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