At his best, world No. 1 Novak Djokovic may well be even better than Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, says Hall of Famer Mats Wilander.
Djokovic graces the cover of the new WSJ. Magazine. Inside the March Men’s Style issue, which hits newsstands on March 7th.
Video Cliffhanger: The Real Dimitrov Dive
The five-time Australian Open champion discusses family, the secret to his success and future plans.
Former No. 1 Wilander suggests the Serbian's best tennis puts him in a class by himself.
“He’s so good, he might even be better than the other two. When he’s feeling it and he’s on and he’s fighting, it’s nearly impossible to beat him," Wilander said. "You can’t get the ball through him. Federer and Nadal have people who they don’t necessarily like to play against. Djokovic, I don’t see a player that he minds playing.”
In the cover story, Djokovic credits his holistic lifestyle — rather than his much-publicized gluten-free diet — for his 2011 success.
“It wasn’t the big secret of my success," Djokovic says of his gluten-free diet. "I have a very holistic approach: my diet, my well-being, the exercises, the mind-set, the thinking, the people I surround myself with, where I live, what I do. All these things combined to get me to where I am.”
Djokovic reflects on a variety of subjects in the interview.
The best way to react when losing a match: “When the last point is done, we are humans. Give your opponent a hug and say, ‘Great fight,’ and that’s all.”
How he wants to be remembered: “For me it’s more important for [people] to remember me as a human being, as somebody that has carried himself in the right way in every aspect of his tennis career. There’s more to it than just winning a trophy.”
His infant son Stefan’s reaction to seeing Novak on FaceTime: “He reacted and smiled at my voice, which was phenomenal. Not even three months! Advanced boy—we’re trying to make him as intellectual as possible.”
Family being his number one priority: “Up to a few years ago, tennis was more or less everything that I wanted to focus on. I still have the same approach to tennis, the same motivation to win Grand Slams, to still stay No. 1 of the world, but with a different philosophy. Just a different way of understanding things in life.”
Feeling grateful for his career and what’s to come: “I’m very blessed to be able to play this sport, and I’m very grateful for everything that I have achieved so far. I still feel like there are many years in my legs.”in the semifinals of Roland Garros this afternoon.
Photography by Maciek Kobielski for WSJ. Magazine