How Novak Djokovic Shaped the Future: A Legacy Timeline

A closer look at the lasting mark left by Novak Djokovic—a timeline of influence.

Novak Djokovic, a Serbian professional tennis player, holds the record for the most weeks ranked as world No. 1 (428) and year-end No. 1 finishes (8). He has secured 101 ATP Tour singles titles, including a record 24 Grand Slam titles, 40 Masters titles, and 7 year-end championships. Djokovic is the only man to simultaneously hold all four major titles on three different surfaces. He's the only man to achieve a triple Career Grand Slam and the only player to complete a Career Golden Masters twice. He is also the only singles player to have won all of the Big Titles over the course of his career.

Sections (6)

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

1938: Reference to Don Budge's Grand Slam in 1938

In 1938, Don Budge achieved a Grand Slam in men's singles tennis, a feat Djokovic was contending for at the US Open.

1962: Reference to Rod Laver's Grand Slam in 1962

In 1962, Rod Laver achieved a Grand Slam in men's singles tennis, a feat Djokovic was contending for at the US Open.

1969: Reference to Rod Laver's Grand Slam in 1969

In 1969, Rod Laver achieved a Grand Slam in men's singles tennis, a feat Djokovic was contending for at the US Open.

1969: Rod Laver Holds All Four Majors

In 1969, Rod Laver was the last man to hold all four majors simultaneously before Novak Djokovic in 2016.

1994: Boris Becker Accomplishment

In 1994, Boris Becker was the last player to beat the top three-ranked players in a single event before Djokovic's accomplishment in 2007.

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

In June 2011, Novak Djokovic was awarded the Order of Serbian National Defense in America I class and had a homecoming celebration in Belgrade after winning his first Wimbledon title and reaching the No. 1 ranking.

2011: Mardy Fish said Djokovic in 2011 was the best player of all time

In 2011, Mardy Fish declared that Novak Djokovic was the best player of all time.

2011: Nadal acknowledges Djokovic's peak performance level in 2011

In 2011, after losing all six matches against Djokovic for the season, Rafael Nadal stated that Djokovic's level of play was "probably the highest level of tennis that I ever saw."

2011: Nick Bollettieri praises Djokovic as most complete player ever in 2011

In 2011, tennis coach Nick Bollettieri praised Djokovic as "the most complete player ever".

March 2012: Profiled on 60 Minutes and Named Among TIME's 100 Most Influential People

In March 2012, Novak Djokovic was profiled on the CBS show 60 Minutes and was named among the 100 most influential people of 2012 by TIME magazine.

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2013: Views on Water and Emotions in "Serve to Win"

In his 2013 autobiography, Serve to Win, Novak Djokovic wrote about a "researcher" who experimented with water exposed to different emotions, expressing his beliefs about the influence of emotions on water.

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2015: Djokovic's Record-Breaking 2015 Season

By the end of the 2015 season, Djokovic had made a season-record 15 consecutive finals and won 11 titles, including a season-record 10 Big Titles. He set a season-record of 16,585 ranking points and achieved 31 victories over top-10 players. His performance in 2015 is considered one of the greatest seasons in tennis history.

2015: Nick Bollettieri calls Djokovic the most perfect player in 2015

In 2015, tennis coach Nick Bollettieri praised Djokovic as "the most perfect player of all time".

2016: Nadal reiterates Djokovic's exceptional level after Qatar Open Loss in 2016

In 2016, following a one-sided loss in the Qatar Open final, Rafael Nadal reiterated his praise for Djokovic, stating that he had never seen anyone play tennis at such a high level before.

2017: Nadal calls Djokovic invincible in 2017

In 2017, Rafael Nadal stated that when Djokovic is at his best, he is an "invincible player" at a technical level.

2020: Beliefs on Prayer, Gratitude, and Water

In 2020, Novak Djokovic spoke of his belief that prayer and gratitude can transform toxic food or polluted water into healing water, claiming that scientists have proven that water molecules react to emotions, which is scientifically dubious.

April 2021: Freshwater Snail Species Named After Djokovic

In April 2021, a team of Balkan biospeleologists named a recently discovered freshwater snail species, Travunijana djokovici, after Novak Djokovic.

2021: Medvedev labels Djokovic the "greatest tennis player in history"

In 2021, after Daniil Medvedev won his first major title at the US Open against Djokovic, he called Djokovic the "greatest tennis player in history". Also in 2021, Richard Krajicek and The Roar suggested Djokovic should be considered the greatest of all time, highlighting his consecutive wins in all four majors. Patrick Mouratoglou called Novak the most complete player of all time.

2021: Sampras comments on Djokovic's record-breaking year in 2021

In 2021, after Djokovic earned a record-breaking seventh year-end No. 1 finish, Pete Sampras, who was considered by some the greatest male tennis player at his retirement in 2003, commented on his achievement.

February 2022: Reaffirmation of Vaccine Stance in BBC Interview

In February 2022, Novak Djokovic stated in an interview with the BBC that he believes in personal freedom of choice regarding vaccination and would be willing to forgo tournament entry to uphold his principles.

2022: Djokovic's most successful season as of 2022

As of 2022, The 2015 season is Djokovic's most successful season and it is considered one of the greatest seasons in tennis history.

2022: Djokovic appears in the documentary about Roger Federer

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.

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2022: Publication of "Facing Novak Djokovic" Book

In 2022, a book titled "Facing Novak Djokovic", featuring interviews with ATP players detailing their experiences competing against Djokovic, was published.

2022: Beetle Species Named After Djokovic

In 2022, a new species of beetle in the genus Duvalius discovered near Ljubovija, Serbia, was named Duvalius djokovici after Novak Djokovic by Nikola Vesović.

2023: Mardy Fish calls Djokovic the best player of all time

In 2023, Mardy Fish declared that Novak Djokovic in 2011 was the "best player of all time". Also in 2023, Boris Becker compared Djokovic to Lionel Messi, Tom Brady, and LeBron James.