“Novak Djokovic’s been through so much already” – Biographer reveals Chris Evert’s conversation with Serb and how it helped him understand his psyche

Mark Hodgkinson, the author of ‘Searching for Novak: The Man Behind the Enigma’, recently dissected Novak Djokovic’s mentality. Hodgkinson also disclosed a chat with American legend Chris Evert that gave more insight into the Serb’s relentless drive to succeed despite being well past his prime. Djokovic achieved the elusive Career Golden Slam at the 2024 Paris Olympics on Sunday (August 4), downing arch-rival Carlos Alcaraz 7-6(3), 7-6(2) to secure gold in men’s singles. With his victory, he also extended his big titles tally to 72 – having picked up 24 Majors, 40 ATP Masters 1000 titles and seven ATP Finals titles.

Prominent writer Mark Hodgkinson, who explored Djokovic’s life for his Searching for Novak book, recently spoke to Tennis Majors about the 37-year-old’s approach to every Major tournament. He mentioned that the 1999 NATO bombings in Belgrade had left an imprint on the 24-time Major winner. “I managed to get into the bunker where Novak and his family sheltered in 1999 during the NATO bombings…” the author said. “I think for Novak, it’s not something that he’s going to forget. All those lives, emotions, and sensations that he felt when he was down there had a huge effect on him.”

However, Hodgkinson did concede that, for better or worse, Djokovic’s war experiences had helped him build bulletproof resilience in his tennis career. He then said that 18-time Major winner Chris Evert had told him that the 2019 Wimbledon final, where the Serb staved off two match points against Roger Federer, was nothing compared to the above instance. “I spoke to Chris Evert, and she’s had a few conversations with Novak over the years. She said that if you’re in the fifth set of the Wimbledon final, you’re 15-40, 4-5 down, it feels like a very stressful moment,” Hodgkinson said. “Then if you think back to what he’s been through previously in his life, what happens on a tennis court, it’s pretty minor.”

“She said that you know that’s obviously shaped his mindset and shaped how he thinks on court. Of course he wants to win more Grand Slams. Of course he wants to do well. But I think at the same time he’s been through so much already that by comparison it’s not so important.” “Novak Djokovic could forgive all the people who decided to bomb Serbia and bomb Belgrade” – Biographer Mark Hodgkinson

Mark Hodgkinson further stated that a young Novak Djokovic fighting for his life during wartime shaped his mentality. The author also claimed that although the Serb had pent-up anger over his fellow countrymen’s suffering, he eventually forgave their aggressors, which was an “important moment” for him by Hodgkinson’s account. “That episode definitely shapes him. For a few years, he felt angry about it. He was 11 when it started. For many nights he was down there with his family. But I think as time went on, he realised that it wasn’t helpful for him to stay angry,” Hodgkinson told Tennis Majors.

“So I think he reached a point where he felt like he could forgive, he could forgive all the people who decided to bomb Serbia and bomb Belgrade. That sort of switch from anger to forgiveness has been an important moment for him,” he added.

Hodgkinson is currently working with the ATP Tour. In the past, he has written for ESPN, Wimbledon, WTA, The Times, New York Times, Rolex and CNN, among other big organizations.