Djokovic and his admission about helping Jannik Sinner: “That’s just who I am”
Novak Djokovic opens up to *Corriere della Sera* about his past, present, and future, starting with that “inat”—a term in Serbian culture that refers to a particular blend of pride and stubbornness: “It’s a cultural concept deeply rooted in the Balkan soul.” According to Djokovic, it is his childhood, more than any other period, that has helped shape him as a man and a champion. “In the first 15 years, we lay the foundation for the building that bears our name. I had already experienced war, the horror of bombs falling from the sky, nights in shelters with my family and my people.”
Jelena Gencic, the first great coach to believe in his talent, played a fundamental role in his journey. Djokovic recalls with emotion the moment in 2011 when he brought home his first Wimbledon trophy. “Without Jelena Gencic, I wouldn’t be Novak Djokovic. She was my spiritual guide to a multidisciplinary and holistic approach to life—one I would never forget. A philosophy that still guides Djokovic today. “I’m firmly convinced that everything I do impacts my performance: how I eat, how I sleep, how I breathe, how I think,” he emphasizes.
In the documentary “The Winter Wolf,” available on Prime Video, Djokovic’s journey also intertwines with that of Jannik Sinner. It’s a comparison the Serbian star welcomes without hesitation, recognizing several similarities between the two. “We both come from the mountains—he from South Tyrol and I from Serbia. We chose skiing as our sport, left home at age 13, and were forced to grow up quickly, far from our families and loved ones. So, to answer you briefly: yes, I see myself in Sinner.”
The Serbian identifies their strongest point of connection with the Italian player as their mindset. “I wouldn’t call it obsession, but rather a constant and total dedication to tennis. Jannik, like me, is never satisfied. He has the mindset of a champion—he’s always had it.” For Djokovic, Sinner possesses a trait shared by all great champions: the ability to never consider what he’s achieved as enough. “He’s a dominant force, yet he wakes up every morning with the desire to be better than he was the day before. And, believe me, no victory can satisfy that hunger—not even 24 Grand Slam titles.”
The interview concludes with an unusual question: “Why, when first Riccardo Piatti and then Darren Cahill approached me for advice on how to help young Jannik improve, was I so generous? I’ll answer it this way: why not? At that moment, I couldn’t help but be true to myself, no matter what was at stake. That’s who I am.”
