BIO
Nicknamed “Nole”
Began playing at age 4 and made pro debut at 16Father, Srdjan and mother, Dijana. Younger brothers, Marko (born Aug. 20, 1991) and Djordje (born July 17, 1995)
Father, uncle and aunt were all professional skiers and father was also an excellent football player. Father wanted him to be a football player or skier but excelled in tennis at an early age Credits his family as inspiration for giving him so much support
Family owns a company “Family Sports,” which has three restaurants and a tennis academy
Idol growing up was Pete Sampras
At age 12, attended Niki Pilic Academy in Munich and practiced there for almost 2 years before returning to Belgrade
Speaks Serbian, Italian, German, English and French
Favourite surface is hard but considers himself well-rounded
Best shots are backhand down the line and return of serve
Appeared in the 2007, ’14 and ’15 Vogue Magazine Sept. issue
Elected to two-year term in June 2008 to ATP Player Council
Serves as ambassador for UNICEF in Serbia to defend children’s rights and provide access to early education
Named recipient of ATP World Tour No.1 Presented by Emirates Award in 2011-12 and 2014-15, Most Improved Player of the Year Award in 2006-07 (voted by players) and Arthur Ashe Humanitarian Award in 2012 for Novak Djokovic Foundation & UNICEF ambassador work
Named recipient of BBC Overseas Sports Personality of the Year Award in 2011, Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award in ’11 and ’14, the Order of St. Sava in ’11, the Order of Karadjordje’s Star in ’12, Order of the Republika Srpska in ’13
In December 2012, received Centrepoint Premier Award for Contribution to the Lives of Youth across the world from HRH the Duke of Cambridge, Prince William (Winter Whites Gala 2012)
In 2013, had the honour to address the United Nations on behalf of world athletes when the UN passed the resolution proclaiming 6th of April the International Day of Sports for Peace and Development
Named UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in August 2015
Founded Novak Djokovic Foundation in 2007 with a dream to help children from disadvantaged communities gain access to preschool education. The motto of the Foundation is “Believe in their dreams.” To this date, his Foundation successfully finished 37 projects, renovated or built 17 schools, offered training to more than 600 teachers, donated 3,000 books, built a sensory park for autistic children, a tennis court in Priboj, and many more. Directly, through his Foundation, he helped 7,500 children have a better starting point in life by investing in their development from an early age. In Aug. ’15, Novak represented his Foundation and signed a partnership agreement with the World Bank to promote early childhood development in Serbia and in the world. This includes global advocacy on the importance of investing into early childhood education, as well as investments to help disadvantaged children in Novak’s native Serbia. Thanks to Original magazine, founded by Jelena Djokovic, NDF is reaching more than 35,000 students
Wife; Jelena Djokovic Ristic (married July 10, 2014 in a private ceremony in Montenegro); son, Stefan (born October 21, 2014)
Works with physiotherapist Miljan Amanovic and fitness trainer Gebhard Phil-Gritsch
Read More: Novak Djokovic Profile
