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 has won 101 ATP Tour singles titles, including a record 24 Grand Slam titles, 40 Masters titles, and seven year-end championships. He's the only man to simultaneously hold all four major titles on three different surfaces. Djokovic is also the only man to achieve a triple Career Grand Slam and the first to complete a Career Golden Masters, achieving it twice. He stands alone as the only singles player to have won all of the Big Titles during his career.

Sections (6)

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

1938: Historical Context: Don Budge's Grand Slam

In 1938, Don Budge achieved a Grand Slam in men's singles tennis, a feat referenced to contextualize Djokovic's pursuit in 2021.

1962: Historical Context: Rod Laver's Grand Slam

In 1962, Rod Laver achieved a Grand Slam in men's singles tennis, a feat referenced to contextualize Djokovic's pursuit in 2021.

1969: Historical Context: Rod Laver's Second Grand Slam

In 1969, Rod Laver achieved another Grand Slam in men's singles tennis, a feat referenced to contextualize Djokovic's pursuit in 2021.

2003: Sampras considered greatest male tennis player

In 2003, Pete Sampras, at the time of his retirement, was considered by some to be the greatest male tennis player of all time.

2011: Nadal says Djokovic's level is the highest he has ever seen in 2011

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

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

In 2011, former world No. 7 Mardy Fish declared that Djokovic was the "best player of all time".

2011: Nick Bollettieri praises Djokovic in 2011

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

2012: 2012 Australian Open final

In 2012, Djokovic beat Nadal in the Australian Open final in five long and grueling sets, a match considered one of the greatest contests ever.

2013: 2013 Australian Open fourth round match

In 2013, Djokovic played Stan Wawrinka in a five-set fourth round match at the Australian Open, considered one of the greatest contests ever.

2013: Publication of autobiography Serve to Win

In Novak Djokovic's 2013 autobiography, Serve to Win, he wrote of a "researcher" who directed "anger, fear, hostility" at a glass of water, which turned "slightly green" after a few days, while also directing "love, joy" at another glass of water, which remained "bright and crystal clear" in the same period.

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2015: Nick Bollettieri calls Djokovic "the most perfect player of all time" in 2015

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

2016: Nadal says Djokovic did everything perfectly in 2016

After a loss in the 2016 Qatar Open final, Rafael Nadal stated, "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 states Djokovic was invincible at the top of his game in 2017

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."

2018: 2018 Wimbledon semifinal

In 2018, Djokovic played Nadal in a five-set Wimbledon semifinal match which lasted five brutal sets played over two days, considered one of the greatest contests ever.

2019: 2019 Wimbledon final

In 2019, Djokovic played Roger Federer in a five-set Wimbledon final, the longest Wimbledon final in history, considered one of the greatest contests ever.

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 as the greatest tennis player in history

After Daniil Medvedev won his first major title at the 2021 US Open against Djokovic, he called Djokovic the "greatest tennis player in history".

2021: Sampras comments after Djokovic earns record-breaking finish in 2021

In 2021, after Novak Djokovic earned a record-breaking seventh year-end No. 1 finish, Pete Sampras commented on the achievement.

2022: Reflection on 2015 Season

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

2022: Publication of "Facing Novak Djokovic"

In 2022, a book titled "Facing Novak Djokovic", a compilation of interviews with ATP players who described in detail what it was like to compete 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, as announced by Nikola Vesović, a research associate at the University of Belgrade.

2023: 2023 Cincinnati Masters final

In 2023, Djokovic played Carlos Alcaraz in the Cincinnati Masters final, the longest best-of-three-sets final in ATP Tour history, considered one of the greatest contests ever.

2023: Experts compare Djokovic to sports legends in 2023

In 2023, former world No. 7 Mardy Fish declared that 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, calling him "the lion king".