Published By: Saksham Mishra

How well do you know Novak Djokovic

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal form the pillars of tennis' Big Three, but Novak Djokovic is a legend in his own right.

The Big Three have done some sensational stuff. Combined together, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have won 57 of the 69 men's singles Grand Slam titles between 2003 and 2020. While Federer and Nadal have won for 20 each, Djokovic is not far behind at 17.

Young achiever

At just 14, Novak Djokovic emerged as a triple European champion in singles, doubles, and team competition in 2001. Djokovic also clinched the silver medal at the World Junior Championship for Yugoslavia. There was little doubt at that point that the youngster possessed something special.

Career Slam comes calling

When Djokovic came up trumps at the French Open in 2016, he became the second Men’s Singles Tennis player after Lord Laver to win a tennis Career Slam (winning all four majors at any point during the course of a career).

Holds his own against Big Three mates

Novak Djokovic may be courteous at times, but he is not courteous enough to give his Big Three mates a free pass. One of only four players to have achieved the feat, Djokovic has defeated Roger Federer three times in one year and is one of only two players to have beaten both Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in a Grand Slam in back-to-back matches. Not only that, he is the only player to have beaten both Federer and Nadal in the same tournament thrice.

Married childhood sweetheart

Djokovic has one of those sweet high school romances. He met his would-be wife, Jelena Ristic, at high school and the two went on to tie the knot in 2014. The couple has a boy named Stefan.

Polyglot

You would have heard Djokovic speak fluent English in interviews and match presentations, but he can speak Serbian, Italian and German with the same competence as well.

Novak Djokovic Foundation

Novak Djokovic has children’s welfare as one of his priorities. He launched the Novak Djokovic Foundation in 2007 to lend a helping hand to underprivileged children, provide financial support to young kids in Serbia, support children who lost their parents in war, and financing the Serbian monasteries and churches.

Excellent impersonator 

Djokovic is famous for impersonating several well-known sports personalities like Maria Sharapova and Andre Agassi.

Strange superstition

At every Wimbledon, Djokovic eats blades of grass. The star player says it tastes like sweat.