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 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 year-end No. 1 finishes (8). Djokovic boasts a record 24 major men's singles titles, including a record ten Australian Open titles, and a total of 99 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. Furthermore, he is 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

2010: Part of the "Big Three"

By 2010, Novak Djokovic had begun to distinguish himself, leading to the formation of the "Big Three" alongside Federer and Nadal.

2011: Praise for Djokovic's Season

In 2011, Pete Sampras declared Djokovic's season as the best he had seen in his lifetime. Boris Becker called Djokovic's season "one of the very best years in tennis of all time." Rafael Nadal described Djokovic's performances as "probably the highest level of tennis that I ever saw."

2011: Nadal says Djokovic is at the highest level of tennis

Rafael Nadal stated in 2011 that Djokovic's level is "probably the highest level of tennis that I ever saw."

2016: Nadal reiterates on Djokovic's level

After a one-sided loss in the 2016 Qatar Open final, Rafael Nadal reiterated that "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."

2017: Nadal comments on Djokovic's technical level

In 2017, 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."

April 2021: Freshwater snail species named after Djokovic

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

2021: Medvedev labels Djokovic the greatest tennis player

After winning his first major title at the 2021 US Open over Djokovic, Daniil Medvedev labelled Djokovic the "greatest tennis player in history".

2021: Djokovic earns a record-breaking seventh year-end No. 1 finish

Pete Sampras, stated after Djokovic earned a record-breaking seventh year-end No. 1 finish in 2021.

2022: Djokovic's most successful season

As of 2022, the 2015 season is Novak Djokovic's most successful season.

2022: "Facing Novak Djokovic" book published

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

2022: New 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.

2023: Mardy Fish declares Djokovic in 2011 was the best player of all time

In 2023, former world No. 7 Mardy Fish also declared that Djokovic in 2011 was the "best player of all time". Boris Becker compared Djokovic to Lionel Messi, Tom Brady and LeBron James in their respective sports, saying that "For me, he is the lion king".