Novak Djokovic: Nothing Left to Lose

After winning the Olympic gold medal last summer, 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic has accomplished the final goal remaining in his illustrious tennis career. Now, he is channeling his relentless energy into new pursuits—health, politics, history, and humanity (and yes, still some tennis). This shift may come as a surprise to many.

A Morning in Montenegro

This morning, under the radiant sunlight shimmering over the Bay of Kotor in Montenegro, Djokovic appeared relaxed and casual in a white Lacoste T-shirt, blue shorts, rubber sandals, and blue Moscot sunglasses. At 37, he seems to be in the most comfortable phase of his life. With nothing left to achieve and nothing to lose, his confidence feels both refreshing and slightly intimidating—a calm acceptance of the inevitable end of his career, yet with at least one more Grand Slam season in his sights.

He carried a Wimbledon bag, made of canvas and leather in the signature Wimbledon purple and green. “I like it,” Djokovic remarked. “They know what they’re doing.”

At breakfast, he spent several minutes—what felt like 30 minutes—discussing the precise ingredients of each dish on the menu with a server in Serbian. This meticulousness is not new; I’ve seen it before, during a pre-US Open event in New York. “When it comes to food,” he explained, “I’m quite devout. I want everything to be clean and freshly prepared. I don’t like to be—you call it what?—an adventurer. Especially during a tournament.” However, when not competing, he admits to indulging in ice cream and wine, his guilty pleasures.

Returning to His Roots

Although Djokovic technically remains a resident of Monaco and owns homes worldwide, he has spent more time in recent years in his native Serbia and here in Montenegro—a place once part of a joint country with Serbia and where he vacationed as a child. Today, he seems especially at ease. But a small incident breaks the tranquility.

Nearby, a small bird lies unconscious. Djokovic notices it as he approaches. The flawless blue sky, welcoming to most humans, can be deadly for birds, reflecting transparent illusions on glass walls. But Djokovic and his two children quickly spring into action: they gently place the bird in a box, bring it inside, give it sugar water, and allow it to rest and recover.

Recovering and Moving Forward

Djokovic himself is also recovering. Despite enduring a lingering knee injury and experiencing his first season since 2005 without an ATP title, he insists he is still here—like the bird, not defeated. On the contrary, he radiates strength, standing tall and confident after his recent triumph of winning Olympic gold in Paris. The gold medal, achieved on his fifth attempt over 16 years, was the only major accolade in tennis he had yet to secure.

Having already claimed 10 Australian Opens, 3 French Opens, 7 Wimbledon titles, and 4 US Opens, Djokovic holds the record for the most Grand Slam titles in men’s tennis history, with 24 career wins. While the Olympic gold medal may not carry the same prestige as Grand Slams, it holds immense significance for Djokovic.

A Victory for Serbia

As the pride of his nation, Djokovic has always carried the burden of meeting the expectations of the Serbian people. While his Grand Slam victories are personal triumphs, the Olympic gold medal represents something greater—a victory for Serbia. For Djokovic, this achievement is not just another trophy but a symbol of pride and fulfillment for his homeland, where every victory feels like a shared celebration.