In the hallowed halls of tennis history, few names resonate as powerfully as Novak Djokovic. The Serbian maestro, with his unparalleled record of 24 Grand Slam titles, has long been a figure of awe and inspiration. Yet, beyond the trophies and the thunderous applause, a new accolade has emerged to cement his legacy—not one earned with a racket, but captured through the lens of a camera. As the tennis world buzzed with excitement on April 3, 2025, a breathtaking photograph of Djokovic on Wimbledon’s Centre Court was crowned the IMAGO Photograph of the Year, a prestigious honor that underscores the artistry intertwined with his athletic prowess. The image, bathed in golden sunlight, has struck a chord with fans and the player himself, prompting a heartfelt reaction from the man known as “The Joker.”
The photograph, taken during the 2024 Wimbledon Championships, is a study in contrasts—power and vulnerability, motion and stillness. It depicts Djokovic striding across the iconic grass court, his head slightly bowed, a beam of sunlight illuminating his all-white attire in a way that evokes an almost ethereal glow. His racket dangles casually in one hand, a silent testament to the battles fought and won. The image, snapped at just the right moment, transcends the boundaries of sport, transforming a fleeting instant into a timeless tableau. It’s no wonder that when the public cast their votes, this shot emerged victorious, claiming over 60% of the total tally—a landslide that speaks to its universal appeal.
For Djokovic, the recognition was a moment of quiet pride. Taking to social media, he reshared the image with a simple yet telling gesture: a pair of applause emojis. The understated response belies the depth of his connection to Wimbledon, a tournament where he has clinched seven of his Grand Slam crowns. “It’s a special place,” he’s often said of the All England Club, and this photograph seems to encapsulate that sentiment—a visual echo of his enduring bond with the grass courts that have witnessed some of his greatest triumphs. The award, announced by IMAGO on Instagram, was the culmination of a process that saw the UK Picture Editors’ Guild celebrate the year’s finest captures, with this particular image standing out among a sea of contenders.
The photographer behind the lens, Chloe Knott, has crafted a masterpiece that goes beyond mere documentation. The golden light doesn’t just highlight Djokovic; it elevates him, casting him as both a warrior and a poet on the court. Fans have been quick to heap praise on the shot’s composition, with many noting how it captures the essence of his journey—the highs of victory and the introspective moments that follow. “It’s like you can feel his focus, his determination, even in silence,” one admirer remarked online. Another added, “This is more than a photo—it’s a story.” Indeed, the image resonates because it mirrors Djokovic’s own narrative: a relentless pursuit of excellence, tempered by an introspective grace that has defined his career.
This isn’t the first time Djokovic’s presence has transcended the game itself. His 2024 season, while not as trophy-laden as some of his earlier years, still showcased his enduring brilliance. An Olympic gold medal in Paris marked a pinnacle he’d chased for decades, and though he fell short in the Wimbledon final to Carlos Alcaraz, his performance on Centre Court remained a spectacle of skill and resilience. The photograph, taken during that tournament, serves as a poignant reminder of his dominance on grass, even in defeat. It’s a surface where he’s claimed seven titles, second only to his haul at the Australian Open, and the image immortalizes that legacy in a way statistics alone never could.
The award comes at a time when Djokovic’s career is under scrutiny. At 37, questions swirl about how long he can maintain his elite level, especially after an injury-marred Australian Open earlier in 2025 forced him to retire in the semifinals. Yet, moments like this—where his image alone commands reverence—suggest that his influence endures beyond the scoreboard. The Miami Open final in March saw him fall to 19-year-old Jakub Mensik, a sign of the rising generation nipping at his heels, but the Wimbledon photo proves his star still shines brightly. “He’s the GOAT for a reason,” one fan declared, echoing a sentiment shared across the tennis community.
As the news spread, the tennis world paused to celebrate not just the photograph, but the man it portrays. For Djokovic, it’s a rare chance to step back and appreciate the artistry of his craft through another’s eyes. The IMAGO Photograph of the Year isn’t just a win for Chloe Knott—it’s a tribute to a career that continues to inspire, one frame at a time. And as he prepares for the challenges ahead, from the clay of Roland Garros to the grass of Wimbledon once more, this image stands as a beacon: a reminder that even in the quiet moments, Novak Djokovic remains a towering figure in the sport he’s redefined.