The Mindset of Champion:- Novak Djokovic

The period from 2005 to 2009 was when Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer dominated tennis. In these four years, 17 out of 20 Grand Slams were won by either Nadal or Federer, then in the next 6 months, Djokovic defeated Nadal and Federer 10 times out of 11, after that Djokovic won 43 matches in a row, including 3 Grand Slams.

In a few months, Djokovic turned from a good player to an unbeatable player, we can learn a lot from how this happened.

Novak Djokovic says that by 2010, I had reached rank number 3, but in these two years, I did not win any big match or championship.

"I was not happy with my game then after that, I lost straight in the French Open match. I got depressed and went to my coach and asked him what should I do now."

The coach said, "you calm down first and then we will talk." When Djokovic calmed down, the coach asked him to explain why did you start playing tennis? Do you like to hold a racket today?

The coach was trying to ask "can you play just for fun, don't think about winning or losing, We will think about losing and winning later."

After that Djokovic says "I thought and realized that I love this game, it is a part of my personality, I can play anywhere, I enjoy playing, whether it is Wimbledon final or any Public Tennis Court."

Then Djokovic says "Something changed at that moment." Perhaps Djokovic got attached to some sense of childhood (playing games for fun) after that, in the coming 6 months, Djokovic won 43 matches in a row including 3 Grand Slams.

That's how he became the world's number one tennis player. With the help of a coach, he realized that "game is game, play with full passion and enjoy every game, no need to think too much about winning and losing."

Health, fitness, and mental strength are also big factors in Djokovic's transformation of the game. Djokovic was able to reconnect with his passion at the time of difficulty and injury, due to which he was able to give a new direction to his career after coming out of the difficult period.

Lessons no:-1 (Ask yourself why) -

"Whatever career you want to choose, whatever your dream is, there is definitely something hidden in it, which means a lot to you."

"Whenever you get tired and give up, connect with the feeling that why did you start following this dream? why do you want to fulfill your dream if money and fame take away?"

Ask yourself this question, again and again, the answer to this question will give you new energy and direction, So that you will move forward in your career.

Djokovic says that I fell in love with tennis when I was 7 years old. Then I had a dream that I would become the world's number one tennis player, people laughed at me but I thought I could.

7-year-old Novak watched Pete Sampras win Wimbledon and from that day onwards he started dreaming of winning.

For several days in a row, Novak saw himself lifting and winning the Wimbledon trophy, this small act filled strange confidence in him. Then he started practicing every day.

He also made one duplicate trophy for himself and every day he used to see that trophy and imagine the winning moment.

With this type of passion and love for tennis, he started taking purposeful action towards his goal. By imagining goals and taking action consistently he became what he wanted to become.

Lessons no:-2 (Take purposeful actions) -

The quality of every champion is that

"Every champion keeps doing something or the other to fulfill his dream, he takes purposeful actions towards his goal. His aim is to take a step towards his dream by any means."

At the age of 12, Djokovic hid in the basement with his family for 3 months. Djokovic was born in Serbia and it was during this time that his small country was going through two wars.

That's why he practiced in a dry swimming pool as there were no tennis courts left to play at that time because of the war.

At that time there was so much bombing that people started running away as soon as they saw the plane in the sky. That time was full of troubles.

In one of the interviews, Djokovic says that those bad times taught me a lot. "I don't feel negative thoughts for a long time, because the experience of war taught me to be calm and to be thankful for the little things. And because of that experience, now I become mentally very strong."

Lessons no:-3 (Be grateful for what you have) -

"Always be grateful for what you have and appreciate small things in life becasue you never know what could happens next."

Djokovic hits the best shots of the match when he is scoring fewer points or when opponents dominate him. This is a difficult time of match where he tries to give his best.

Djokovic says "I have learned in my childhood that I should never run away from troubles, the more you overcome the smallest obstacles in your life, the more the spirit of fighting increases inside you."

The same spirit is also seen in Novak's game, he believes "You have to be consistently successful to be one of the top players in the world."

Lessons no:- 4 (Overcome failure) -

"Whatever obstacles are in the middle of your goal, you should never turn your back on them, you should face them firmly."

"The smallest habit that takes you away from the goal and bothers you, again and again, should be removed at the right time. The more times you succeed in this, the more often your power and ability increase."

When Djokovic was asked after winning the Australian Open 6 times that you are playing the best tennis in history at the moment, what you are doing differently from the rest?

Djokovic says "I always wanted to be No. 1 tennis player, my life and training are not separate things. I have worked on every aspect of life. I have trained my mind, emotions, and body. Because of experience and practice, I am able to play good tennis at this time."

Lessons no:- 5 (Maintain Disciplined work routine) -

"If you have a bad mood in between, or you sleep at different times every day or are stuck in some other bad habit then you face a lot of small problems in your everyday routine because of which you can't able to focus on your work."

"So you have to overcome those small problems with a disciplined work routine then only you can able to focus fully on your work and give your best."

These are 5 things one can learn from the world's No-1 tennis player Novak Djokovic and implement in their lives to see great results. Let's summarize it...

1. Connect with your 'Why' specially when you feel down.
2. Take purposeful actions towards your goal every day.
3. Be Grateful for what you have.
4. Overcome failure by building productive habits.
5. Maintain a Disciplined work routine.

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