In the ever-evolving saga of tennis greatness, Novak Djokovic stands alone atop the mountain, his 24 Grand Slam titles and record-breaking 428 weeks as world No. 1 cementing his claim as the sport’s Greatest of All Time (GOAT). Yet, what alchemy transformed a wiry teenager from Serbia into a colossus who outlasted Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal? Renowned coach Patrick Mouratoglou, whose sharp insights have shaped champions like Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka, has peeled back the curtain on Djokovic’s ascent, pinpointing a singular trait that set him apart: an unshakable belief in his destiny. Mouratoglou’s revelation, shared in a candid discussion, offers a gripping lens into the mindset that fueled Djokovic’s relentless pursuit of immortality.
Picture the tennis landscape of the mid-2000s, dominated by the elegance of Federer and the ferocity of Nadal. The top 10 quaked at their dominance, resigned to chasing crumbs in their wake. Then came Djokovic, a 19-year-old with audacious dreams. “I remember the first time when Novak came onto the tour and Rafa and Roger were winning everything,” Mouratoglou recalled. “All the other guys were thinking these two are unbeatable.” Yet, Djokovic dared to think differently. Before a Grand Slam match against Federer, he told the press, “I’m going to beat him.” The tennis world bristled, mistaking his words for arrogance. Mouratoglou saw something else: “It was not arrogance or cockiness, but self-confidence.” That conviction wasn’t just bravado—it was the cornerstone of a career that would rewrite history.
Djokovic’s belief wasn’t a fleeting spark; it was a fire forged in his youth. At 14, he swept the European championships in singles, doubles, and team events, learning early what it meant to win. “Becoming a champion requires learning to win at a very young age,” Mouratoglou noted, highlighting how those formative triumphs shaped Djokovic’s psyche. By 2008, at 20, he’d claimed his first Australian Open, toppling Federer in the semifinals. It was a statement: the “Big Two” were no longer untouchable. Over the next decade, he’d amass 40 Masters 1000 titles, a career Triple Grand Slam, and an Olympic gold in 2024, each victory a brick in his GOAT monument.
What makes Djokovic’s mental fortitude so extraordinary? Mouratoglou argues it’s more than talent—it’s a lifestyle engineered for supremacy. “You look at what he is doing every day in his life, and it gives Novak so much confidence,” he said. From his meticulous diet to his yoga and meditation, Djokovic has built an ecosystem to sustain excellence. Even when trailing by match points, his ability to reset and refocus is unmatched. “When you look at Novak’s game and compare it to Roger and Rafa, you say, how can this guy with this game have a better record than the other two?” Mouratoglou marveled. “It is because he is the best of all time mentally.” That mental edge—uncoachable, innate—turned close matches into victories, like his 2023 Wimbledon epic against Carlos Alcaraz, where he fell just short but showed he could still trade blows with the new guard.
The road wasn’t without shadows. Djokovic’s outspokenness, from his vaccine stance to on-court intensity, often drew boos from crowds who adored Federer’s grace or Nadal’s grit. Yet, Mouratoglou sees this as fuel. “The fact that there were so many fans for the two others and less for him created in him the will to make revenge one way or another,” he observed. Djokovic channeled skepticism into results, proving doubters wrong with every trophy. His 2023 US Open win, clinching a record 24th Slam, silenced debates, even prompting Nadal to call him “the best in history.”
At 37, Djokovic’s fire still burns. Despite a Grand Slam-less 2024, his Olympic triumph showed he’s far from finished. Mouratoglou believes his motivation, now tested by Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, will dictate his future. “For Novak, it’s only about his motivation,” he said. As Djokovic eyes a 25th Slam to surpass Margaret Court, his secret—self-belief forged in defiance—remains his greatest weapon. From a bold teenager to the GOAT, he’s proven that confidence, not just skill, carves legends.[](https://www.yardbarker.com/tennis/articles/he_is_the_best_of_all_time_mentally_patrick_mouratoglou_explains_how_djokovic_outshines_federer_and_nadal/s1_17460_41976883)[](https://www.theroar.com.au/2023/09/27/the-debate-is-over-novak-djokovic-is-the-greatest-of-all-time/)