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FROM PAINTING THE LINES: “I CAME FROM NOTHING” 🐐

The story of Novak Djokovic is likely what shaped him – what forged him into an athlete so extraordinary that, at times, he seems almost supernatural.

His childhood was marked by the trauma of war in the Balkans. He had to grow up much faster than any child should ever have to. Djokovic himself often speaks about those difficult years – as a way to remember where he came from, out of gratitude to his people and his country, with whom he shares an unbreakable bond.

Djokovic broke into the tour when Nadal and Federer were already standing on the highest peaks of tennis, seemingly destined to rule the sport for years in a two-man kingdom. But he didn’t step aside. He imposed himself, demanded respect, made it clear he wasn’t there to play a supporting role – and then he started winning. Winning, and winning, until he’d won more than both of them, and kept fighting long after they had retired.

Now, at 38, he finds himself in yet another era – the age of Sinner and Alcaraz. He’s battled them, taught them lessons they’ll carry into their bright futures, and shaped the game they are now inheriting.

Djokovic has evolved tennis itself and passed that evolution on to those coming after him. He’s tuned out the endless debates over whether he’s the GOAT by doing the one thing that silences all doubt – winning. Beyond the records, beyond the titles, what keeps him alive is that insatiable hunger to compete – a fire that only a handful of athletes in history have ever known.

That strength comes from deep inside. From his story. From his relentless need to find an “enemy” to face – and beat. And he always has.

There’s no doubt in his mind that the hunt for that 25th Slam is still possible – despite his age – or he wouldn’t still be here. And no matter who you root for, it would be something special to see him lift a Grand Slam trophy one last time. For the 25th time.

LINES THAT HIT 💬

Djokovic couldn’t help but smile when reminded of his cheeky line after a match about not being quite ready to “sip margaritas on the beach” with Federer and Nadal.

He mused on it further, imagining a time when tennis’s three giants might finally get together far from the spotlight.

A scene every tennis fan would give anything to see.

TOP PICKS 🔗

• Holger Rune talks Andre Agassi DC collaboration: “He sees the game in a unique way”- Tennis.com

• “People only started to like Rafa when Novak arrived” – interview with Gilles Simon - CLAYTENIS

• Mats Wilander pinpoints why Jannik Sinner may be better 'role model' than 'rare talent' Carlos Alcaraz after Wimbledon triumph - TNTsports

CAPTURED 📸

"Alejandro, as I told you and your team, you’re way too good to not have one of these," de Minaur said to start his winner's speech after Washington DC Final . "It’s coming for sure. You deserved it today. I just got lucky. You are a hell of a competitor and player. No one on the tour wants to play you. This is not the end. It’s only going up for you.”

BY THE NUMBERS (NOLE EDITION) 📊

• Djokovic is the third man in the Open Era to win 100 ATP titles in singles after Jimmy Connors (109) and Roger Federer (103).

• He’s the only player in history to have won all four Slams, Olympic gold, the Nitto ATP Finals and every Masters 1000 at least once. (Except for the Olympic gold, he’s actually won all of the others at least twice.)

• His longevity is just as insane as his trophy haul: half of his 24 Grand Slam titles have come after turning 30 — four Australian Opens, four Wimbledons, two French Opens and two US Opens. Even there, he outshines Nadal (8 of his 22 came after 30) and Federer (4 of his 20).

• Djokovic is also the only player with at least seven finals at every Slam, and the first man ever to finish four different seasons with three Slam titles. He did it in 2011, 2015, 2021 and 2023 — the year when Daniil Medvedev stopped him at the very last step from completing the first men’s Calendar Grand Slam since Rod Laver’s legendary 1969.

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